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Configuring the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) feature of your Linksys LAPAC2600

The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) feature of the Linksys LAPAC2600 Wireless Access Point allows you to expand a wireless network through multiple access points instead of linking them with a wired backbone. 
 
QUICK TIP:  The WDS feature only works and interacts with the Linksys LAPN300, LAPN600, LAPAC1200, LAPAC1750 or LAPAC2600 access points.
 
Below are guidelines before you proceed with the WDS configuration:
  • The access points can communicate without being wired to the network.
  • The configuration of the WDS settings should apply on both access points participating in the WDS link.
  • Access points participating in a WDS link must be on the same radio band.
  • Up to four (4) WDS connections can be configured.
  • If the Workgroup Bridge feature is enabled, WDS will NOT work.  You can only use one or the other.
  • When the Spanning Tree (STP) is enabled, it helps prevent switching loops.  It is recommended if you are configuring the WDS connections.
  • Only IPv4 traffic is supported.
  • You can have only one (1) WDS link between any pair of access points.  That is, a Remote MAC Address may appear only once on the WDS Bridge page for a particular access point.
  • It must use the true default MAC Address for a Remote MAC Address on the WDS Station.
  • The access point can act as a WDS Root or WDS Station:
    • WDS Root – It receives WDS connections from the remote WDS Stations.
    • WDS Station – It connects to the remote WDS Root.  It supports up to four (4) WDS Stations in each wireless radio.
In this scenario, there are two (2) access points.  The first access point will be configured as the WDS Root and the second as the WDS Station.
 
Step 1:
On your first access point, access its web-based setup page.  To know how, click here.
 
Step 2:
Select Configuration > Wireless > WDS.
 
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Step 3:
Tick the Spanning Tree Mode checkbox and select your Radio.
 
NOTE:  Enabling the Spanning Tree Mode helps prevent switching loops.  It is recommended if you configure WDS connections.
 
Step 4:
Tick the Interface Status checkbox.
 
IMPORTANT:  It is highly recommended that you set a static channel when configuring your access points.  Both access points in the WDS link must be on the same radio channel.  If not,  there is a chance that the two (2) access points will run on different channels and the WDS link will not be established.
 
Step 5:
On the WDS Root AP Interface, enter your preferred Local SSID, Security Mode and Pre-shared Key then click Save.
 
NOTE:  Make sure to take note of the following settings.
 
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Step 6:
Access the web-based setup page of your second access point.  To know how, click here.
 
Step 7:
Select Configuration > Wireless > WDS.
 
Step 8:
Locate the WDS STATION and tick the Interface Status checkbox.
 
NOTE:  In this example, WDS Interface 1 is selected.

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Step 9:
Click the Site Survey button and select the Local SSID of your WDS Root access point.
 
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Step 10:
Enter the Pre-shared Key of your WDS Root and click Save.
 
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Step 11:
Check if the Status section displays Connected to verify if you have successfully configured your access point.

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Related Video:

How to copy or save configurations within your Linksys LAPAC2600 Wireless Access Point (VIDEO)

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