Repeating Mode Comparisons

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* WDS must be configured on both routers (requires access) and require a compatible WDS implementation. R/RB only needs to configure the repeater and doesn't rely on the main-router's HW or firmware version. * WDS must be configured on both routers (requires access) and require a compatible WDS implementation. R/RB only needs to configure the repeater and doesn't rely on the main-router's HW or firmware version.
* WDS can support WEP, WPA, and WPA2 Personal (TKIP+AES) as of v24sp1 (and earlier?). [tested with wrt150n1.1 AP + wrt54g6 R] (TODO: test other hardware). R/RB support all encryption algorithms. * WDS can support WEP, WPA, and WPA2 Personal (TKIP+AES) as of v24sp1 (and earlier?). [tested with wrt150n1.1 AP + wrt54g6 R] (TODO: test other hardware). R/RB support all encryption algorithms.
-* WDS supports building a network of routers, where each repeater can connect to multiple other "main-routers" (WAN-routers) at the same time (TODO: Confirm). R/RB only connects to one router at a time, by SSID. Both WDS and R support connecting multiple repeaters in series ("repeat a repeater"), however a RB must connect to a DHCP serving unit. (TODO: Clarify - does this have anything to do with DHCP, or does it mean "each RB will only connect to a wired (non-repeating) AP"?)+* WDS supports building a network of routers, where each repeater can connect to multiple other "main-routers" (WAN-routers) at the same time (TODO: Confirm). R/RB only connects to one router at a time, by SSID. Both WDS and R support connecting multiple repeaters in series ("repeat a repeater"), however a RB must connect to a DHCP serving unit (TODO: Clarify - does this have anything to do with DHCP, or does it mean "each RB will only connect to a wired (non-repeating) AP"? Clarification: Yes it has something to do with DHCP. It will connect to a regular repeater (R) just fine. See [http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=36197&p=208768#208768 here] for further info.)
* WDS does not perform MAC address translation (MAT). R/RB does translate MACs : the main-router sees all connections from clientes which connects through the repeater belonging to the same MAC as the repeater. This causes problems with some applications which relies on a MAC address. * WDS does not perform MAC address translation (MAT). R/RB does translate MACs : the main-router sees all connections from clientes which connects through the repeater belonging to the same MAC as the repeater. This causes problems with some applications which relies on a MAC address.

Revision as of 11:39, 19 September 2008

Contents


WDS vs R (Repeater) vs RB (Repeater Bridge)

This is a summary of issues related to repeating using "WDS" vs "Repeater" vs "Repeater Bridge" modes. Please note that some lines require to be confirmed ("TODO: Confirm"). If you experiment other results than those here indicated, please add your comments providing also your HW and DD-WRT version.

  • On both WDS and R/RB (both R and RB), the repeater can broadcast another SSID. On WDS with WPA, both routers need to have the same SSID (TODO: Confirm).
    • On WDS, both routers need to have the same SSID, which will be broadcasted by both routers (TODO: Confirm).
    • On R/RB, the physical SSID will not only be used for joining the main-router, but also be repeated by the repeater (TODO: Confirm).
    • On R, two SSID with the same name will collide (give problems) (TODO: Confirm). On RB, having the same SSID on the main-router and the repeater allows to "roam", ie. keep a connection active ¿or reconnect? (TODO: CONFIRM) when a client nears the other router.
    • After RC6.2, virtual interfaces have BSSID with MAC address 02:XX:XX:XX:XX:01 for R mode. If the main-router and the repeater broadcast a BSSID with the same MAC, they probabilty will collide. For RB mode the MAC address is 00:XX:XX:XX:XX:01. - redhawk
  • WDS and R/RB both will "reduce bandwidth in half" for wireless clients (but not for wired clients). Wireless repeating means that each packet is repeated, ie re-transmitted, thereby taking twice as much air time.
  • WDS must be configured on both routers (requires access) and require a compatible WDS implementation. R/RB only needs to configure the repeater and doesn't rely on the main-router's HW or firmware version.
  • WDS can support WEP, WPA, and WPA2 Personal (TKIP+AES) as of v24sp1 (and earlier?). [tested with wrt150n1.1 AP + wrt54g6 R] (TODO: test other hardware). R/RB support all encryption algorithms.
  • WDS supports building a network of routers, where each repeater can connect to multiple other "main-routers" (WAN-routers) at the same time (TODO: Confirm). R/RB only connects to one router at a time, by SSID. Both WDS and R support connecting multiple repeaters in series ("repeat a repeater"), however a RB must connect to a DHCP serving unit (TODO: Clarify - does this have anything to do with DHCP, or does it mean "each RB will only connect to a wired (non-repeating) AP"? Clarification: Yes it has something to do with DHCP. It will connect to a regular repeater (R) just fine. See here for further info.)
  • WDS does not perform MAC address translation (MAT). R/RB does translate MACs : the main-router sees all connections from clientes which connects through the repeater belonging to the same MAC as the repeater. This causes problems with some applications which relies on a MAC address.

I'm still confused! Which mode should I use?

The following are just some general guidelines for helping you choose the proper repeater mode.

  • Use WDS if
    • you have control over all routers and they each have compatible WDS implementations.
    • you want to repeat your wireless signal and/or connect multiple networks together.
  • Use R (Repeater) if
    • you don't have control over the host access point/router.
    • you want to repeat a wireless signal coming from your ISP.
    • you're staying at a hotel and want to boost an otherwise weak wireless signal to your laptop.
  • Use RB (Repeater Bridge) if
    • your host router/access point doesn't support WDS.
    • you want to repeat a wireless signal and have all clients on the same network (same subnet).

See Also

Linking Routers