WDS setup using Gargoyle

[vplessky]

I'd like to implement WDS setup using two routers flashed with OpenWrt/Gargoyle.

Routers are based on Atheros chipset (TP-Link WR1043ND, WR841ND)

Wireless settings in OpenWrt have options:
- Access Point (WDS)
- Client (WDS)
What is equivalent for those operation modes in Gargoyle (if it possible to configure at all)?

Has someone tested similar setup using Atheros-based Routers-Access Points?

[Eric]

I tested this between two ath9k routers (which I believe these are). This should work.

[vplessky]

I tested this between two ath9k routers (which I believe these are). This should work.

Yes, those routers are using Atheros / ath9k

Your answer suggests there is no specific tuning required?
Access Point (WDS) setup which I defined in OpenWrt Backfire results in interface settings for wlan as "Master+WDS"

/etc/config/wireless has following settings:

Code: Select all

root@OpenWrt:~# cat /etc/config/wireless

config 'wifi-device' 'radio0'
        option 'type' 'mac80211'
        option 'channel' '5'
        option 'macaddr' 'd8:5d:4c:bf:25:b4'
        option 'hwmode' '11ng'
        list 'ht_capab' 'SHORT-GI-40'
        list 'ht_capab' 'TX-STBC'
        list 'ht_capab' 'RX-STBC1'
        list 'ht_capab' 'DSSS_CCK-40'
        option 'disabled' '0'
        option 'txpower' '27'
        option 'htmode' 'HT40-'

config 'wifi-iface'
        option 'device' 'radio0'
        option 'network' 'lan'
        option 'mode' 'ap'
        option 'encryption' 'psk'
        option 'key' '<my key>'
        option 'ssid' 'OWrt'
        option 'wds' '1'

What should be correct settings for Client (WDS)?
I could not test it here, as when I switch OpenWrt router to Client (WDS), and tried to connect to TP-Link WA801ND Access Point, or WR1043ND router (both running with stock firmware), they (WA801ND, WR1043ND) hang.

TP-Link support told me that OpenWrt is not supported.
And with native firmware on both hosts, WDS connection works.

[Eric]

You can configure the client settings in Gargoyle itself. Go up to the top of Connection/Basic and under "Configure Device As" Select "Wireless Bridge/Repeater". Then a screen will come up that will let you configure a WDS client.

[vplessky]

Eric, thank you for your excellent work!

Upgraded my WR841ND to Gargoyle 1.3.7

Used following settings:
----------------------------------

Code: Select all

Device Configuration: Gateway (default)
Internet/WAN: Disabled
Wireless Mode: AP+WDS
Operation Mode: N+G+B
Channel Width:  40MHz
Encryption: WPA-PSK

1) Connection to router (AP) from Windows Vista PC = connection speed 300Mbps

2) WDS link from TP-Link WR1043ND (running with stock firmware) started, and running smoothly.
I can ping from one PC connected to first router another router/PC. And from second PC - first router and its client..

So, if someone wants ro run mixed configuration (OpenWrt + stock firmware), it can be done with Gargoyle 1.3.7
I will post screenshots shortly.

[vplessky]

iwconfig - from WR841ND running in AP+WDS mode

Code: Select all

root@Gargoyle:~# iwconfig
lo        no wireless extensions.

eth0      no wireless extensions.

eth1      no wireless extensions.

imq0      no wireless extensions.

imq1      no wireless extensions.

br-lan    no wireless extensions.

wlan0     IEEE 802.11bgn  Mode:Master  Frequency:2.432 GHz  Tx-Power=27 dBm
          RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:on

mon.wlan0  IEEE 802.11bgn  Mode:Monitor  Tx-Power=27 dBm
          RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:off

wlan0.sta1  IEEE 802.11bgn  Mode:Secondary  Tx-Power=27 dBm
          RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:off

#iwlist txpower

Code: Select all

root@Gargoyle:~# iwlist txpower
lo        no transmit-power information.

eth0      no transmit-power information.

eth1      no transmit-power information.

imq0      no transmit-power information.

imq1      no transmit-power information.

br-lan    no transmit-power information.

wlan0     unknown transmit-power information.

          Current Tx-Power=27 dBm       (501 mW)

mon.wlan0  unknown transmit-power information.

          Current Tx-Power=27 dBm       (501 mW)

wlan0.sta1  unknown transmit-power information.

          Current Tx-Power=27 dBm       (501 mW)

Don't know why it lists " unknown transmit-power information"
But current TX-Power is displayed (27 dBm), so I am happy.

[QLink]

Hi Guys,

got a similar situation:

i have 2 Buffalo WZR-G300NH Devices here and i flashed from Open WRT Kamikaze to Gargoyle 2h before.

i want to build a wds, but cant get it working

device 1 config:

Gateway (Default)
192.168.1.1
255.255.255.0
Wireless Mode: AP+WDS
Operation Mode: N+G+B
Channel Width: 20MHz
Tx Power: Max
Wireless MAC Filer: Disabled

Access Point SSID: OpenWRT
Wireless Channel: 6
Encryption: None
Broadcast SSID: Enabled
Wireless Client Isolation: Disabled


and here's Device2:

Wireless Bridge/Repeater
192.168.1.2
255.255.255.0
AP/Gateway IP: 192.168.1.1
Wan Ethernet Port: Disabled
Custom DNS: 192.168.1.1

Connect Via WDS
Operation Mode: N+G+B
Channel Width: 20MHz
Tx Power: Max
Access Point SSID: OpenWRT
Wireless Channel: 6
Encryption: None


is there anything wrong in my setup ? why cant i establish a wds with this config ?
you have some advices what else i could try to get this working ?
how/where do i exactly see when/if a wds is running properly ?

up to now i just try to access both devices... if i only can acess one device i guess wds is not running...


thanks in advance

[vplessky]

1) try Wireless Mode: AP+WDS
for second AP as well

2) disable Firewall/routing for second AP

to check if WDS is working:
a) open telnet/ssh
b) check ifconfig, iwconfig
you should have wlan0.sta listed and working

Unfortunately Gargoyle (or OpenWrt/LuCI) doesn't have web interface to display WDS connections.
This feature is on top in my wishlist.
Hope it would be implemented soon.

Here are examples how WDS status is displayed on some AP/routers:
3Com WER101

3Com AP7760 Site Survey

3Com AP7760 WDS Link Status

[vplessky]

iwconfig should have output like this:

root@Gargoyle:~# iwconfig
...
wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Master Frequency:2.432 GHz Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:on

mon.wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Monitor Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off

wlan0.sta1 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Secondary Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off

wlan0.sta1 is related to WDS.

You need to check this on both routers flashed with OpenWrt/Gargoyle.

[QLink]

hi, thx for you reply,

iwconfig gave me following result:

on router1 @192.168.1.1

root@Gargoyle1:~# iwconfig
...
wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Master Frequency:2.437 GHz Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:on

mon.wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Monitor Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off

wlan0.sta1 IEEE 802.11bgn Mode:Secondary Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:off


and on router2 @192.168.1.2


root@Gargoyle2:~# iwconfig
...
wlan1 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:"OpenWRT" Mode:Managed Frequency:2.437 GHz Access Points: 00:24:A5:AF:xx:xx (=mac adress from router1) Bit Rate=1Mb/s Tx-Power=27 dBm
RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off Encryption key:off
Power Management:off
Link Quality=70/70 Signal level=-1dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 invalid misc:688 Missed beacon:0


so as you can see, @first router i got this wlan0.sta1 entry, but not @ second router ...

i also tried Wireless Mode: AP+WDS for second router, but if i select this, i neither get the wlan0.sta1 entry on first nor on second router.

dunno where i can disable the firewall, but i haven't enable it anyway, or is it activated as default ?
at the firewall tab i couldn't find any option which, looked like firewall disable or smething like that...