WRT54G as wireless bridge

I've done some searching and believe I know the disappointing answer to this
question but thought I'd pose it here in case I missed something. 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?

"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>

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>

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
> 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.

I flashed a v5 that was having the same problem with the micro dd-wrt and it
fixed the problem, the router is now stable for months at a time.

I would flash the router just because, no matter how you end up using it..
dd-wrt is much better than stock firmware.
It does support client bridge but is sorta tricky to get working. When setup
in client bridge you lose the ability to connect to the wireless but
ethernet devices should live happy.
If you have two routers WDS'ed together I believe both ethernet and wireless
will work.
and btw, you only lose wireless on the client brigde, not both routers.
(assuming you are connecting your bridge to an exsisting router.)

Adair

"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.

"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.