Problem setting up WNR614 as Wifi Repeater / Range Extender

TheEther
Guru
Jan 03, 2016
nkj79

I advise you to not use the WNR614 as a wireless repeater / range extender. Netgear routers have very poor support for wireless repeating. The WNR614 uses an outdated method of repeating called WDS. It is outdated because you must use WEP security, which is trivial to break (in as little as a few minutes by someone with the right tools), or no security at all on both the repeater AND the Beetel router. Even if you don't mind using weak security, the Beetel may not support WDS.

If you still want to proceed, then I would suggest you start by doing a factory reset and then plug nothing into the router except for one computer via Ethernet into a LAN port. The WNR614 will still be functioning as a router at this point, so you should be able to log in using routerlogin.net. Set up the Wi-Fi, first. Use the same channel, SSID and password as configured on the Beetel. Again, you must use WEP or no security on both the WNR614 and the Beetel. Click Apply to save the Wi-Fi settings.

Second, follow the instructions under the section titled Set Up a Repeater starting on page 44 of the manual. For the Repeater IP Address, enter an address that is in the subnet managed by the Beetel but outside of the DHCP range. For example, if the Beetel's subnet is 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0 and the DHCP range is 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100, inclusive, then enter 192.168.1.101 as the Repeater IP Address. This will become the WNR614's new IP address. Once you click Apply to activate the repeater mode, routerlogin.net may no longer work. In that case, use 192.168.1.101 to log back into the WNR614.

Third, test Internet access through the repeater. If it works, then you are done. If it doesn't work, then chances are the Beetel doesn't support WDS. You will either have to set up the WNR614 as a wired Access Point, as searay suggested, or you have to buy a real range extender.
- Retired_Member
  Jan 03, 2016
  Moot point but
  
  "I connected the netgear repeater to wifi modem with cable and another cable from netgear router to computer."
  
  Doesn't this suggest you used a wire to connect to the beetel and and netgear and another to PC?
  
  Either way no big deal! ...............You're in good hands with TheEther.
- nkj79
  Aspirant
  Jan 04, 2016
  TheEther
  
  Thanks for your support.
  
  I did factory reset and connected the WNR614 to computer with ethernet cable (no other cable plugged in except this). Changed SSID name, password, security settings and channel to same as my Beetel modem and applied it. Here are the settings after that.
  
  Beetel -
  IP Address - 192.168.1.1
  Subnet - 255.255.255.0
  DHCP - 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100
  SSID - Neeraj
  Channel - 1
  Encryption - WEP
  
  WNR614 -
  Enable Wireless Repeater Function - ON
  Wireless Repeater Address - 192.168.1.105
  Base Station MAC Address - Entered Beetel MAC address
  LAN TCP/IP Address - 192.168.1.105
  Subnet - 255.255.255.0
  DHCP - 192.168.1.106 to 192.168.1.254
  SSID - Neeraj
  Channel - 1
  Encryption - WEP
  
  After this WNR614 interface/settings page is connecting via 192.168.1.105 instead of routerlogin.net.
  At this stage, only three lights are glowing in WNR614 - Power, WiFi and Ethernet but Internet light is NOT glowing, it is OFF. I also tried connecting my android phone to Wifi, it is connected to network but no internet found.
  
  I think probably Beetel 450tc1 modem do not support WDS. But can I connect an ethernet wire from my Beetel to WNR614 and can I use that as a wired range extender? What settings should I do for that?
  
  Thanks
  - TheEther
    Guru
    Jan 04, 2016
    Yes, it should work as a wired range extender. I believe the WNR614 doesn't have an Enable AP Mode setting, so you will have to use the old-fashioned method. Disable the Wireless Repeater. You can keep the LAN IP address set to 192.168.1.105.
    
    Change the Wi-Fi channel so that it is different than the one used by the Beetel. You can keep the SSID and password the same. Devices will automatically join to the strongest channel and jump to the other one as you roam. You can't control when the jump will occur and you might experience a short connection drop during the switch.
    
    Alternatively, you can use a different SSID. This will give you the choice of selecting which Wi-Fi network to connect to. Both Wi-Fi networks will still be connected to the same subnet, so devices can still communicate with each other regardless of which Wi-Fi network they are joined to.
    
    Save your changes.
    
    Disable the DHCP Server. If your computer originally obtained an IP address from the router, it will still probably work for a while, but temporarily switch to a static IP address if you lose connectivity to the WNR614.
    Set the gateway IP address to 192.168.1.1.
    Connect one of the LAN ports of the WNR614 to the Beetel. Leave the Internet port disconnected. It's not used.
    Test Internet connectivity.

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Problem setting up WNR614 as Wifi Repeater / Range Extender