WNR2200 Possibities: Extend network seamlessly?

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JonEng wrote:

Hello,

 

I'm trying to extend my WiFi range by setting up a second Acces Point further down the house.

This second AP is the WNR2200 (FW V1.0.1.96) and is connected to AP1 (from provider) through powerlines.

 

I have managed to set it up as a second network, but this of course requires manual change on mobile device as long as AP1 is within range.

I want to avoid this and make the network seamless.

 

I think I know what to do, but it won't work so far.

 

- So I have AP1: 192.168.0.1   and   AP2: 192.168.0.80

- Both on WPA2 and same password

- DHCP disabled on AP2

- Different wifi channels

 

Did you use a LAN port on the WNR2200 to connect to AP1?  If not, you need to in order for this to work.  The Internet port on the WNR2200 should be left disconnected.

You can also use the same SSID on AP2 and AP1 to make it seamless for devices.

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Now my questions are:

1) Is it possible to do this with the WNR2200 connected to an AP of different brand? (Because nothing of repeating is mentioned in the manual, except for the obsolete WDS.) 

You should be able to wire the WNR2200 to any brand of AP.  Doing it wirelessly is a different ball of wax.  In general, Netgear routers have had poor support for wireless repeating.  I believe that this is deliberate in order to protect their market for range extenders.  I do not recommend using the WNR2200 as a repeater.  More about WDS below.

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2) If yes, is there a setting I have missed?

No.

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3) !!! What is the difference between the IP set at "BASIC -> Internet -> Fixed IP" (with me at .0.80)  and   "Advanced -> Installations -> LAN settings"  (with me at .1.1)?

The Internet settings govern the Internet port.  Don't use these settings when using the WNR2200 as an Access Point.  Change the setting here to get the IP address dynamically.  This will prevent it from conflicting with the next step.  Go to LAN settings and change the IP address to 192.168.0.80.  The idea is to use just the Ethernet ports and the Wi-Fi radios on the WNR2200.  The Internet port and the router/firewall functions will be unused.  This is why you need to use a LAN port to connect the WNR2200 back to AP1.

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4) WDS is only for wireless extention right? Not when AP1 and 2 are connected via cable or powerline?
     And just out of interest: Why has WDS become obsolete?

Lack of standardization leading to poor interoperability between vendors and poor support for security.  The Wikipedia article covers this (link).