"jch" <jch@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:oteEi.83837$jH3.56383@bignews6.bellsouth.net. ..
> "Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
> news:m9o2e3h8hhtbvbga9rcjfm7d2n6j06puvu@4ax.com...
>> "jch" <jch@nospam.com> hath wroth:
>>
>>>I have a
>>>WRT54G v5 which is my current router for my home network. I'm going to
>>>replace that router and because of network exapansion, will have the need
>>>for a wireless bridge. Can the WRT54G v5 be made to act as a wireless
>>>bridge? Iwill have ethernet devices remotely located and would like a
>>>wireless bridge to provide ethernet connectivity. The only solutions to
>>>making a wireless bridge from a WRT54G which I've seen require the
>>>loading
>>>of 3rd party firmware which my version (ver 5) will not allow. I'm
>>>hoping
>>>that it is still possible to convert a stock WRT54G v5 to this function.
>>>Can
>>>this be done?
>>
>> <http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Version_5_And_6_Router_Information>
>> Only the "micro" version of DD-WRT will work on the V5 abomination.
>> Micro is lacking in features, but I think (not sure) supports
>> transparent bridging:
>> <http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT%3F>
>> You might ask in the DD-WRT forums.
>>
>> I've only attempted to install DD-WRT on a V5 mutation only once. I
>> was trying to solve a problem where the router would just stop moving
>> traffic for no obvious reason. After installing DD-WRT, the problem
>> persisted. I replaced it with a Buffalo something, and the customer
>> lived happily ever after.
>>
>> However, I have a problem with your description. You mention that you
>> would like to build a "wireless bridge" to "some ethernet devices". It
>> takes two radios to do this. Do you have two WRT54G v5 routers? If
>> not, what is on the other other end? If it's a common wireless router
>> or access point, what you really need is a "wireless ethernet client
>> bridge" that supports more than one MAC address. That's somewhat
>> different from a transparent bridge, which usually is a symmetrical
>> arrangement acting effectively as an ethernet extension cord. See
>> different types listed at:
>> <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Bridge_Types>
>
> I'm replacing the WRT54G v5 with a different wifi router. I am also making
> the assumption that the modified WRT54G v5 will handle multiple MACs.
> I'd never heard of DD-WRT micro. Thanks for the tip. Looking at the
> bridge types, I believe I need the functionality of a "Multiple MAC
> address cleint adapter". The WDS bridge is overkill because I don't need
> the access point functionality. Although the "Transparent bridge" would
> seem to fit as well. In the definition, I don't see reference to
> symmetrical.
>
>
>> My guess(tm) is that you just want it to act as a wireless client. The
>> micro version should do that, but can become messy if you have a
>> complicated system:
>> <http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Mode_Wireless>
>
> I believe this is correct. My new router will arrive in a few days and I
> look forward to working on this and not making a brick of my WRT54Gv5.
> I'm sure I'll be back with more questions or hopefully some interesting
> results.

For what its worth, I wanted to report back here since I got such useful
information from this group. Thank you.

Goal: Expand existing home network consisting of WRT54G v5 wireless router,
1 wired desk top, 3 wireless laptops, and 1 networked laser printer.
Expansion would add 2 new devices: a HR20 DirecTV DVR and an XBox game
console. The two new devices are located together but unable to hardwire
connect to the WRT54G.
Solution: Purchase Zyxel X-550 to replace the WRT54G and provide network
with upgraded router. Hack the WRT54G v5 to have it function as a wireless
bridge and provide network connectivity of the HR20 and XBox.
Process: The Zyxel X-550 set up easily as the router for this network and
has many more features than the WRT54G. After setting up the new router and
confirming its operation, I hacked the WRT54G by loading the DD-WRT micro
firmware (ver 24). It didn't go totally smoothly. In fact I thought I'd
bricked the Linksys unit but that turned out not to be the case at all. The
DD-WRT micro firmware is a fine upgrade for the v5 WRT54G. I had no idea I
could use 3rd party firmware with this unit and very much appreciate the
advice given here.

The expanded and upgraded network works flawlessly. FYI, the WRT54G acting
as a wireless bridge with the DD-WRT firmware is still accessible wirelessly
by any of the laptops (to check status or change configurations via the
browser GUI). I know there was a question about this functionality being
lost but that was defginitely not the case.

Thanks again.