Multiple WRT54G's to make an ESS

dcdz78 · 05-14-2008, 11:09 AM

Basically I was wondering if anyone could point me towards a good tutorial or other information regarding what I am trying to do.

I have 3 WRT54G's Linksys routers. I want to put them in a big triangle, one router at each point. They will all be connected via network cables but the goal is to make a big wifi hotspot, again, each router connected by cable.

It is my understanding I would make router 1 function as a gateway with the WAN port connecting to the cable modem. I would disable DHCP on router2 and router3. I would then connect router1 from one of it's LAN ports to one of router2's LAN ports. Then the same, connect router2 from one it's LAN ports to router3's LAN port.

Also, the SSID needs to be identical on each router and I will be using 802.11g so router 1 will use channel 1, router2 use channel 6 and router3 use channel 11. There will be no security on these.

Does this sound like I am on the right track or way off?

Thank you in advance!!!

Dale

johnhook · 05-15-2008, 02:44 AM

dcdz78,

There are limitations to the repeater capabilities of multiple WRT54Gs. Linksys would rather you use a single WRT54G and WAPs to extend WiFi networks.

There is, however, a third party workaround. Check out:

http://www.skifactz.com/wifi/wrt54g_repeater.htm

This site has firmware that you can flash additional WRT54Gs with and make them into dedicated WiFi repeaters.

- John

johnwill · 05-15-2008, 06:28 AM

You can also use DD-WRT firmware for the task.

05-14-2008, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
dcdz78 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 40 OS: Vista Ultimate Edition	Multiple WRT54G's to make an ESS Basically I was wondering if anyone could point me towards a good tutorial or other information regarding what I am trying to do. I have 3 WRT54G's Linksys routers. I want to put them in a big triangle, one router at each point. They will all be connected via network cables but the goal is to make a big wifi hotspot, again, each router connected by cable. It is my understanding I would make router 1 function as a gateway with the WAN port connecting to the cable modem. I would disable DHCP on router2 and router3. I would then connect router1 from one of it's LAN ports to one of router2's LAN ports. Then the same, connect router2 from one it's LAN ports to router3's LAN port. Also, the SSID needs to be identical on each router and I will be using 802.11g so router 1 will use channel 1, router2 use channel 6 and router3 use channel 11. There will be no security on these. Does this sound like I am on the right track or way off? Thank you in advance!!! Dale

05-15-2008, 02:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Multiple WRT54G's to make an ESS dcdz78, There are limitations to the repeater capabilities of multiple WRT54Gs. Linksys would rather you use a single WRT54G and WAPs to extend WiFi networks. There is, however, a third party workaround. Check out: http://www.skifactz.com/wifi/wrt54g_repeater.htm This site has firmware that you can flash additional WRT54Gs with and make them into dedicated WiFi repeaters. - John __________________

05-15-2008, 06:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 28,754 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Multiple WRT54G's to make an ESS You can also use DD-WRT firmware for the task. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience