How to configure your Linksys LAPAC1750PRO Access Point as a WDS Bridge

There are two (2) options on how to configure the Linksys Wireless-N (LAPN300 and LAPN600) or the Wireless-AC Access Points (LAPAC1200, LAPAC1750 and LAPAC1750PRO) as a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) Bridge:
  • Point-to-Point:  The access point accepts client associations and communicates with wireless clients and other repeaters.  The access point forwards all traffic meant for the other network over the tunnel that is established between the access points.  The bridge does not add to the hop count.  It functions as a simple OSI layer 2 network device.
  • Point-to-Multipoint:  One (1) access point acts as the common link between multiple access points.  In this mode, the central access point accepts client associations and communicates with the clients and other repeaters.  All other access points associate only with the central access point that forwards the packets to the appropriate wireless bridge for routing purposes.
The access point can also act as a repeater.  In this mode, the access point serves as a connection between two (2) access points that might be too far apart to be within cell range.  When acting as a repeater, the access point does not have a wired connection to the LAN and repeats signals by using the wireless connection.  No special configuration is required for the access point to function as a repeater, and there are no repeater mode settings.  Wireless clients can still connect to an access point that is operating as a repeater.
 
Guidelines for WDS:
  • APs can communicate without being wired to the network
  • Configuration of the WDS settings should apply on both access points participating in the WDS link.
  • Both access points participating in a WDS link must be on the same Radio band (Radio 1 on both or Radio 2 on both, but NOT Radio 1 and Radio 2).
  • It allows you to configure up to four (4) WDS connections (WDS0 – WDS3).
  • If Workgroup Bridge is enabled, WDS will not work.  You can only use one or the other.
  • You can have only one 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.
  • STP prevents loops and is recommended if using WDS (Optional).
  • Supports IPv4 traffic only.
  • Must use the true default MAC address:
    • Very important to write down the correct MAC address that you will be using to create the WDS link.
    • If establishing a WDS link between Radio 1, write down the MAC address for Radio 1 on both access points.  Go to Configuration > Wireless > Radio and use the default MAC address.  To establish a link between Radio 2, select Radio 2 and write down the MAC address shown in the image below for both access points. 
NOTE:  You can’t use the MAC address of Radio 1 from one access point and the MAC address of Radio 2 or second AP, both APs must use either both Radio 1 or Radio 2 to create the WDS link.
 
 
 
How to configure WDS (Point-to-Point)
 
Before you begin, write down the true MAC addresses of the Radio band you are trying to establish the WDS link for both APs, perform these steps first:
 
In the example below, we will create a WDS link between 2.4GHz band (Radio1):
 
a. #A access point – 2.4 GHz Radio1 MAC Address B4:75:0E:1B:0A:A0
b. #B access point – 2.4 GHz Radio1 MAC Address B4:75:0E:1B:0A:80
 
Step 1:
Access the #A access point’s web-based setup page.  For instructions, click here.  
 
Step 2:
Go to Configuration > Wireless > Radio. Make sure Radio 1 is selected and write down the MAC Address.  Repeat steps on the other AP.
 
 
Step 3:
Go to Configuration > Wireless > WDS Bridge sub-tab.
 
 
Step 4:
For WDS0 configure the following:
  • Radio – In this example, Radio 1 is selected.
  • Local Address – This displays the MAC address of the AP you are currently configuring.
  • WDS Interface – Select Enable.
  • Remote Address – Enter the MAC address of the remote AP you are creating the link to.  In this example, the MAC address B4:75:0E:1B:0A:80 is used.
 

NOTE:  You can either select the MAC address by clicking on the arrow icon or type in the MAC address in xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx format.
 
QUICK TIP:  You can leave the #B access point off until you are ready to configure it.  The MAC address does not need to be broadcasting in this step, just manually enter the MAC address and complete the rest of the steps.  Once you have completed the same steps on the other access point, the WDS link will establish automatically if all settings are configured correctly.  
 
Also, keep in mind the distance factor.  If a link cannot be established but the settings are correct, you can configure both access points in a shorter distance between each other (if possible).  Once WDS link is up and you can ping both access points, you can then relocate them.
  • Encryption – You can select None or WPA.  In this example, WPA (PSK) is selected.
  • SSID – Must be unique just to create the WDS link between these 2 APs.  Enter an appropriate name for the new WDS link you have created.  This SSID should be different from the other SSIDs used by this AP.  However, it is important that the same SSID is also entered at the other end of the WDS link.  If this SSID is not the same for both APs on the WDS link, they will not be able to communicate and exchange data.  SSID can be any alphanumeric combination such as WDSLINK0.
  • Key – This wireless passphrase is just between the two Access Points creating the WDS link; it is not for wireless clients (computers/laptops etc).  In this example, 88888888 is used.
NOTE:  This unique shared key must also be entered for the access point at the other end of the WDS link.  If this key is not the same for both access points, they will not be able to communicate and exchange data.  The WPA-PSK key is a string of at least eight (8) characters to a maximum of 63 characters.  Acceptable characters include upper and lower case alphabetic letters, the numeric digits, and special symbols such as @ and #.
 
Step 5:
Click Save.
 
Step 6:
Repeat Steps 1 – 5 in #B access point with the same settings as #A access point.
 
In this example, the following settings are used for the WDS0 configuration:
  • Radio – Radio 1
  • WDS Interface – Enabled
  • Remote Address – B4:75:0E:1B:0A:A0 (Now we will use the MAC address of #A)
  • Encryption – WPA (PSK)
  • SSID – WDSLINK0
  • Key – 88888888
  • Click Save
Step 7:
Check the WDS Status until it shows up.  If it shows down, click the Refresh button until the link is up.
 
NOTE:  It should take a few seconds to establish link.
 
 
How to configure WDS (Point-to-Multipoint)
 
In the #A access point, configure WDS0 to WDS3 with each WDS link pointing to a different MAC addresses of other access points.
 
Access Point #A
  • WDS Interface – Enabled
  • Remote Address – For WDS0-WDS3, enter up to four (4) MAC addresses of four (4) different APs
  • Encryption – Configure same encryption method and settings
 

Access Point #B, #C #D and #E
  • WDS Interface – Enabled
  • Remote Address – Enter the MAC address of #A access point
  • Encryption – Configure same encryption method and settings

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