Problem setting up WNR614 as Wifi Repeater / Range Extender

Guru

Jan 03, 2016

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 The WNR614 uses an outdated method of repeating called WDS. It is outdated because you must use WEP security, which is trivial to break (in as little as a few minutes by someone with the right tools), or no security at all on both the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.

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.
nkj79
Aspirant
Jan 04, 2016
TheEther

As soon as I disable Wireless Repeater, I cannot set my WNR614 router IP Address to same subnet 192.168.1.x. It fall back to 10.0.0.x automatically.

While it works fine in 10.0.0.x and I can connect to internet (no matter if I keep same SSID or different, both works) but its not in same network subnet. I want my both routers in same subnet.

It could be some basic stuff, but sorry I am new to networking.

Thanks
TheEther
Guru
Jan 04, 2016
Ok, disconnect the WNR614 from everything, do a factory reset, then connect a PC to the LAN port and proceed to set it up again.
nkj79
Aspirant
Jan 05, 2016
TheEther

Thank you for your help.

I am able to setup my new router in same network / subnet and wifi is enabled on both routers (I choose to keep different SSID for both of them).

Also found this blog post with simple steps to how to do this - http://routersetup.blogspot.in/2007/08/connecting-two-routers-wired.html
TheEther
Guru
Jan 05, 2016
Thank you for finding that blog. I saw it before but forgot to save the link.

For everyone's benefit, those instructions do NOT apply to newer Netgear routers that have an Enable AP Mode setting, which takes care of disabling the DHCP server. Moreover, the Internet/WAN port is still used to connect to the primary router. This makes the wiring simple and easy to remember and frees up one LAN port.

Enjoy your Access Point.
nkj79
Aspirant
Jan 05, 2016
Hi,

Yes, we can use the WAN/Internet port but when I used that, I was forced to use different subnet, as that was making a LAN to WAN connection instead of LAN to LAN (when we connect lan port to lan port in both routers). But yes, using WAN/Interent port is easier in compare to LAN.

Thank you once again for your support.

BTW, Netgear official support is not good at all. I had a chat with them for over a hour but the support person was enable to resolve my problem.
TheEther
Guru
Jan 05, 2016
nkj79 wrote:
Hi,

Yes, we can use the WAN/Internet port but when I used that, I was forced to use different subnet, as that was making a LAN to WAN connection instead of LAN to LAN (when we connect lan port to lan port in both routers). But yes, using WAN/Interent port is easier in compare to LAN.

Sorry, I need to clarify.

On your router, you need to use the LAN port when using it as a wired Access Point. If you use the WAN port, you get a different subnet.

On a newer router with an Enable AP Mode setting, you can use the WAN port when using it as an wired Access Point. You WON'T get a different subnet.

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Problem setting up WNR614 as Wifi Repeater / Range Extender