Purpose of WDS technology
Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a wireless technology that can be used to solve the following problems:
- Expanding the Wi-Fi network coverage area by combining several Wi-Fi access points into one network. In this case, Wi-Fi points do not need to be connected to each other by cable; they operate in repeater (repeater) mode and transmit data via Wi-Fi between themselves and client Wi-Fi adapters;
- Combining wired network segments via Wi-Fi into a single local network. In this case, a Wi-Fi bridge is created between wireless access points. In this mode, client adapters cannot connect to Wi-Fi access points via Wi-Fi.
Let's look at how to configure Ubiquiti equipment to use WDS technology.
Expanding your Wi-Fi network using Ubiquiti access points
Using WDS technology, you can strengthen the Wi-Fi signal to the desired point, increase the range of Wi-Fi coverage, expand Wi-Fi network coverage, and bypass obstacles.
In our example, we will expand the Wi-Fi network using NanoStation M2 and NanoStation M2 Loco access points.
If you use Ubiquiti M series devices, and your subscribers are equipment from another manufacturer, do not forget to disable AirMax technology on the first tab.
To disable Ubiquiti AirMax proprietary technology, do the following:
- go to the first tab with the Ubiquiti logo;
- in field airMAX: uncheck Enable;
- click the button Change to change settings;
- click the button Apply at the top of the page to apply the settings.
Setting up the first WDS access point
Open the tab WIRELESS
- on the list Wireless Mode: select the mode Acces Point WDS(WDS access point). In AirOS 5.5 firmware you need to select the mode AP-Repeater;
- in field WDS Peers: register the MAC address of the second WDS access point. To find out the MAC address of the second access point, you need to go to its settings tab MAIN and in the field WLAN MAC see MAC address.
- in field SSID
- on the list Country Code: choose your country Ukraine(or another);
- on the list Channel Width: select the channel width 20MHz, since not all client Wi-Fi adapters support a channel width of 40MHz;
- on the list Frequency, MHz: choose what frequency the access point will operate at. In this field, the same frequency value must be selected on the first and second access points;
- on the list Security: select the encryption type WEP
- in field WPA Key specify a 10-character password to access the Wi-Fi point;
- Change;
- Apply;
Go to the tab NETWORK
- on the list Network Mode: select the mode Bridge(bridge);
- in field Bridge IP Static DHCP DHCP;
- press the button Change to change settings;
- To apply the settings, click the button at the top of the page Apply.
Setting up a second WDS access point
Open the tab WIRELESS and configure the parameters of the first Ubiquiti WDS access point:
- since at the second point we have AirOS 5.5 firmware installed, in the list Wireless Mode: select the mode AP-Repeater(access point - repeater). In AirOS 5.3 firmware you need to select the mode Acces Point WDS;
- in field WDS Peers: register the MAC address of the first WDS access point. To find out the MAC address of the first access point, you need to go to its settings tab MAIN and in the field WLAN MAC see MAC address.
- in field SSID: enter the name of the first Wi-Fi access point;
- on the list Country Code: choose your country Ukraine(or another);
- on the list Channel Width: select the channel width 20MHz, since not all client Wi-Fi adapters support a channel width of 40MHz;
- on the list Frequency, MHz: select what frequency the first access point operates at. In this field, the same frequency value must be selected on the first and second access points;
- on the list Security: select the encryption type WEP, since in the WDS repeater mode other types of encryption are not supported;
- in field WPA Key specify a 10-character password to access the Wi-Fi point. The password must be the same on the first and second access points;
- to change settings press the button Change;
- To apply the settings, click the button at the top of the page Apply.
Let's check that the WDS access points have connected to each other and are operating in repeater (repeater) mode.
Go to the tab at each point MAIN and choose Stations. The list should display the MAC address of the connected Ubiquiti Wi-Fi access point.
Let's configure the network parameters of the second Ubiquiti WDS access point. Go to the tab NETWORK and configure:
- on the list Network Mode: select the mode Bridge(bridge);
- in field Bridge IP select how the access point will receive network settings. Static- settings are entered manually, DHCP- the access point receives network settings automatically from the DHCP server. There is a DHCP server on our network, so we chose DHCP;
- press the button Change to change settings;
- To apply the settings, click the button at the top of the page Apply.
After applying the settings, the DHCP server will assign a new IP address to the Ubiquiti WDS access point. Therefore, you will not be able to enter the access point settings using the old IP address. The utility will help you find a new Ubiquiti IP address.
Connecting client Wi-Fi adapters to WDS access points
Connecting a laptop to a WDS access point is no different from a regular connection to a Wi-Fi access point. Click on the wireless network management icon in the lower right corner of the screen, select our Wi-Fi point and click the “Connect” button.
In the next window, enter the password to access the Wi-Fi network.
After this, you should connect to the Wi-Fi network.
Now you can go to the settings of access points on the tab MAIN, choose Stations and view the list of connected clients.
If a client Wi-Fi device falls within the coverage area of both Ubiquiti WDS access points, it will connect to the access point that has the best Wi-Fi signal level.
Creating a WDS Ubiquiti Bridge
Let's combine two wired network segments into a single local network using NanoStation M5 and NanoStation M5 Loco access points. NanoStation M5 will work as a WDS access point, and NanoStation M5 Loco will work as a WDS client.
Setting up a WDS access point
Open the tab WIRELESS and configure the WDS access point parameters:
- on the list Wireless Mode: select the mode Acces Point WDS(WDS access point);
- in field SSID: enter the name of the Wi-Fi access point;
- on the list Country Code: choose your country Ukraine(or another country);
- on the list Frequency, MHz: select at what frequency the access point will operate (you can leave Auto);
- on the list Security: select the encryption type. For greater security, it is better to use encryption WPA2-AES;
- in field WPA Preshared Key
- press the button Change to save settings;
- To apply the settings, click the Apply button at the top of the page;
Go to the tab NETWORK and configure the network parameters:
- on the list Network Mode: select the mode Bridge(bridge);
- in field Bridge IP select how the access point will receive network settings. Static- settings are entered manually, DHCP- the access point receives network settings automatically from the DHCP server. There is a DHCP server on our network, so we chose DHCP;
- press the button Change to save settings;
- To apply the settings, click the button at the top of the page Apply;
After applying the settings, the DHCP server will assign a new IP address to the Ubiquiti WDS access point. Therefore, you will not be able to enter the access point settings using the old IP address. The utility will help you find a new Ubiquiti IP address.
Setting up a WDS client
Let's connect to the WDS access point. To do this, open the tab WIRELESS and configure the WDS client settings:
- on the list Wireless Mode: select the mode Station WDS(WDS client);
- press the button Select... to search for wireless networks;
- The found Wi-Fi networks will be displayed in a new window. Select the required network and press the button Lock to AP;
- Now let's configure the security settings. On the list Security: select the encryption type used on the Wi-Fi point to which you are connecting;
- in field WPA Preshared Key specify the password to access the Wi-Fi point;
- press the button Change to save settings;
- To apply the settings, click the button at the top of the page Apply;
We check that the WDS client has connected to the WDS access point. To do this, go to the tab MAIN and look at the connection parameters.
Now let's configure the network parameters. To do this, go to the tab NETWORK and configure:
- on the list Network Mode: select the mode Bridge(bridge);
- in field Bridge IP select how the access point will receive network settings. Static- settings are entered manually, DHCP- the access point receives network settings automatically from the DHCP server. There is a DHCP server on our network, so we chose DHCP;
- press the button Change to save settings;
- To apply the settings, click the button at the top of the page Apply;
After applying the settings, the DHCP server will assign a new IP address to the Ubiquiti WDS client. Therefore, you will not enter the access point settings using the old IP address. The utility will help you find a new Ubiquiti access point IP address.
Finding Ubiquiti IP Address on Local Network
To find the new Ubiquiti access point IP address that was assigned by the DHCP server, we will need a utility Device Discovery Tool.
Download the utility from the following link Device Discovery Tool. To operate the utility you will need Java; it can be downloaded from www.java.com.
After launch, the utility will find the IP addresses of all Ubiquiti devices.
If your devices receive network settings from a DHCP server, be sure to configure your computer's network card to receive settings automatically.
Feedback on the article
Using WDS technology in Ubiquiti equipment Grade: 5 , Votes:
Sergey Lako 08.11.2019 20:40:41
Tell me, I can’t connect Airdrid m5 and mikrotik to wifi via wds bridge. Without a password, everything works fine, but there is no connection with the password.
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Technical support 11/11/2019 09:54:03
Check the security settings on MikroTik. They should be one to one, like on AirGrid M5.
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Alexey 02.10.2018 20:05:45
Thank you! Useful article!
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Andrey 03/29/2017 20:56:39
Good afternoon. Please tell me, I have connected a Nanoostshen M 5 access point in the city and two clients are also using Nanosity M 5. And when two clients are working under load (well, they are downloading something), one’s Internet is disconnected. In short, one by one, what did I configure incorrectly?
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Dima 03/30/2017 10:10:32
Set speed limits at points.
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Andrey 03/30/2017 11:50:59
and how to do it?
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Dima 03/30/2017 16:33:39
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Oleg 01/12/2017 11:35:25
handsome guys! everything is accessible and understandable! Guys, here’s a question: I have a Nastation M2 and a Huawei mobile wifi router. Is it possible and how, if possible, to take a wifi signal from the router, amplify it and distribute it from nanoscience? Thank you!
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Technical support 01/12/2017 12:45:55
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Oleg 01/12/2017 18:26:54
Guys, this is the trick!!! The router is mobile, that is, it has micro USB and that’s it. It is connected to a 5 volt charging power supply. Nanosetshen has 24 volt power and a poe connector. Is there no way to smack fate? I set up the Nana, it sees and receives the router and the Internet. How can I force it to be distributed now? I thought Airmax wouldn’t work, but in the settings I don’t even have a disable button!
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Technical support 01/13/2017 16:31:37
If your mobile router has a WDS function, try setting up both devices as WDS access points.
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Natalya 10/31/2016 13:30:05
I really liked the article. Thank you. My question is: is it possible to set up a bridge between Nanoscience M5 and Rocket M5 with a circular antenna, using them as two access points. Nanoscience is connected to the Internet. You need to go around the obstacle. Or should it be better to have two Rockets or two Nanosciences? As an access point and a client, they are configured perfectly, but as two access points-relays - it does not work. Nanoscience has version 5.6, Rocket has version 5.5
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Dima 10/31/2016 15:10:02
It’s possible, but there’s no point, because... The nanostation has a directional antenna and will normally only broadcast in one direction.
You can go around the obstacle like this:
Nanostation (client) - Rocket (obstacle access point) - Nanostation (client)
or so
Nanostation (access point) - Nanostation (client on the obstacle) - network cable - Nanostation (access point on the obstacle) - Nanostation (client)
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Natalya 01.11.2016 10:03:36
I only have access to the Internet at the first point. So it won’t work like this: Nanostation (access point-repeater) - Rocket (access point-repeater on an obstacle) - Nanostation (client)?
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Dima 01.11.2016 12:13:31
Is Nanostation connected directly to the ISP or through a router?
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Natalya 11/01/2016 12:30:10
Through a router.
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Dima 11/01/2016 12:37:09
Then it doesn’t matter where the Internet is. Set all devices to Bridge network mode and static IP. They will all be on the same network and the router will distribute IP addresses to clients. Everything will work according to the scheme Router - Nanostation (client) - Rocket (access point on the obstacle) - Nanostation (client).
You can also configure it according to the Nanostation (access point-repeater) - Rocket (access point-repeater on an obstacle) - Nanostation (client) scheme, but in repeater mode the speed will be lower.
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Natalia 02.11.2016 11:50:17
Thank you very much for your help!!!
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Natalia 02.12.2016 15:35:11
Hello, another question about this topic. My first point is Nanostation Loco M5. According to its characteristics, it has a range of up to 2 km, but in fact it barely takes me 350 meters to the second point. The signal strength is only 26%. There are, however, a couple of poplars on the way. What is the best way to replace it, please tell me.
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Dima 12/02/2016 19:38:58
It is better to install AirGrid M5 27 - speed up to 50 Mbit/s or
PowerBeam M5-400 - speed up to 90 Mbit/s.
Reply Cancel reply
Natalya 12/08/2016 11:32:39
Will AirGrid be friends with Rocket and what is its coverage angle and distance? I didn't find it in the specifications.
So, how can you increase the range of your network? Of course, using dd-wrt and WDS :)
Ingredients: 2 routers with dd-wrt, straight hands, good mood and of course these instructions.
There are at least three or four schemes for setting up Wi-Fi repeaters, two of which we will analyze. The first is access point (AP) to access point, the second is in repeater mode.
IN first In this method, several networks appear, respectively, if necessary, clients can switch to the second when moving away from the first access point. In second In the same case, the AP is the main one, while the others play the role of repeaters (Repeater mode). That is, there is only one network, but due to repeaters it expands significantly and clients seamlessly switch between them.
Scheme 1:
So, setup first scheme:
1) Go to the web interface of the first (main) router (let's call it AP1), click there Wireless. Choose a type - Mixed, channel - sixth(it is important that AP1 And AP2 was same channel, it works more stable this way). On the second router (AP2) settings should be similar, except SSID.
3) Now we set it up AP2. To begin with, in the section Setup WAN Connection Type put Disable.
5) B Network setup– ip 192.168.1.2, mask 255.255.255.0 and gateway ip AP1. We set a range different from AP1 (100 there, and 200 here) and register DNSs 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, after which we uncheck Use DNSMasq for DNS. That's it for this section Setup configured.
Ready! :) Now we have two AP, which relay to each other :)
Scheme 2:
Now setup second scheme:
In principle, everything is set up almost the same, with the exception of steps 1 and 5. All other setup steps will remain exactly the same. Regarding step 1 of setting up on the main AP remain the same, but AP2 differ:
As you can see, the parameters are the same, but differ in the parameter Wireless Mode.
Step 5: on AP2 go to setup -> Network Address Server Settings (DHCP)-> and parameter DHCP Type set to DHCP Forwarder, where we indicate ip AP1, in our case it is 192.168.1.1.
That's it, now it's ours WDS-the network is configured according to scheme 2. Good luck! 🙂
Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a technology that allows you to expand the coverage area of a wireless network by combining several WiFi access points into a single network without the need for a wired connection between them (which is mandatory in a traditional network construction scheme). In other words, if you have installed a Wi-Fi router, but the Wi-Fi network does not work in some places (rooms or outdoors) or the signal is very weak, in such cases it is advisable to install a second router (or access point), which will act as repeater (repeater) and expand the Wi-Fi coverage area. At the same time, thanks to WDS technology, there is no need to pull a network cable from the first router, the connection will take place via a Wi-Fi network (it is worth noting that installing a second router, where a very weak signal is pointless, the second router should be located in an area of a confident or average Wi-Fi level -Fi). In this article, I will describe step by step how to configure 2 TP-Link TL WR841DN routers (for the TP-Link TL WR841D router, these instructions will also be relevant) to work using WDS technology.
First, let's configure the main router to which the Internet is connected.
Setting up the main router.
We connect to the web interface of the router, configure the Internet (if it is not configured), configure the Wi-Fi network, this process is described step by step in the article TP-Link WR841ND firmware update and initial router setup (Internet, Wi-Fi) And Ob TP-Link WR841N firmware update and initial router setup (Internet, Wi-Fi) .
In this example I will use the Wi-Fi network name- PK_HELP.COM_TP-LINK, you also need to manually specify Channel, I used 7.
On the menu - Wireless Security, in the PSK password line we write the password, in this case I used Pk.help.coM.
At this point, the settings for the main router TP-Link TL WR841DN/ TP-Link TL WR841D can be considered complete. Now you need to connect the Internet to it and proceed to setting up a second router.
Setting up a second router.
Having connected to the web interface of the second router, go to the tab "DHCP" - "DHCP Settings" and disable the DHCP server, since there must be one device on the network that “distributes” the network settings.
After that we go to "Network" - "Local network" and change the IP address of TP-Link TL WR841DN/ TP-Link TL WR841D to 192.168.0.2 since there should not be two devices on the network with the same IP addresses (let me remind you that the first router has IP 192.168.0.1). After pressing the button "Save" the router will reboot.
The next step is setting up the Wi-Fi network. We enter the name of the Wi-Fi network, in this example PK_HELP.COM_TP-LINK-2, in the Channel line set 7 . Put a tick " Enable WDS" and press the button " Search".
The entire list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear in front of you, find the previously created PK_HELP.COM_TP-LINK and press the button "Connect."
As a result, the SSiD and BSSID fields will be automatically filled in, all that remains is to select the type of security key and enter the password that was used in the main router, in this example the type is WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK and the password Pk.help.coM. Press the button "Save".
The setup of the second TP-Link TL WR841DN router can be considered complete.
Now all that remains is to separate these routers and get an extended Wi-Fi network.
In conclusion, I would like to add that in this example, the TP-Link TL WR841DN/ TP-Link TL WR841D routers are used as a special case, at the moment many routers support the WDS function and similar operations can be done with them, the only thing I would like to add is this that it is advisable to use routers from the same manufacturer, and ideally the same model, for connection in WDS.
For example, a router is installed in a house or apartment, but in the back room a laptop, phone or tablet has a weak signal level. At the same time, it is so weak that connection is sometimes impossible.
You can, of course, connect a more powerful Wi-Fi adapter to your laptop, but what to do with your phone and tablet? In this case, an access point that supports the operating mode will help us - repeater or repeater. Access point TL-WR740N will connect via Wi-Fi to your router and transmit the wireless signal further than a phone, tablet or other client device can. With the help of a TP-Link repeater you can boost Wi-Fi signal for your devices.
Setting up an access point in Wi-Fi repeater mode
Router TP-Link connects to a computer or laptop using a twisted pair cable. Power is connected to the access point using a power supply. The network card settings should be set to default.
After setting up the access point, the cable from the computer to the access point can be disconnected.
Open the browser Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Opera, Chrome or any other, and enter the address 192.168.0.1 . This is the default, you can also see it on the bottom of the router.
In the next window, enter your username admin, password admin.
Open the menu: Wireless mode - Wireless mode settings - .
After - a group of text fields will appear below. Click the “Search” button
In the window that appears, click “Connection” opposite the Wifi network to which we will connect.
Select the encryption type: open, or . In the last column we enter wifi network password, which we want to connect to. We also install channel number, the same as the Wi-Fi network with which we want to create a WDS connection.
After this, save the settings by clicking the Save button. If the wifi network channel differs from the required one, you will receive the following note:
Your access point's channel does not match the bridged access point's channel, do you want to change your channel to the bridged access point's channel?
We confirm, and the channel should automatically change to the correct one.
Now all that remains is to configure wifi network security settings. Go to the menu: Wireless mode - Wireless protection. We select the encryption type and password that is used on the router to which our TP-Link repeater is connected. In our case, encryption was used.
Please note that if you use on your router, then in the fields Type, WEP Key Format, WEP Key, Key Type Settings similar to the router to which the access point will be connected must be specified. Otherwise, the TP-Link repeater will not connect to the router. Don't forget to indicate correct region where your router is located. If the source router has a different number in the channel column, then the repeater cannot connect to the router due to incorrectly specified security parameters.
After configuring the security settings, save the settings with the Save button and reboot.
Checking WDS mode activation
You can find out that the TP-Link repeater was able to connect to the router in the menu State.
Open the menu and look at the connection parameters. In field Name ()- the name of the wifi network should appear, in the field - the poppy of the router distributing the network, as well as channel number and other parameters.
Connecting equipment to a Wi-Fi network with WDS
You can connect to WDS Wi-Fi network smartphone with Wi-Fi, tablet or laptop. To connect a laptop to a Wi-Fi network, in the lower right corner of the screen we find the Wi-Fi connection management icon. Select our Wi-Fi network from the list and click the “Connect” button.
Enter the password to connect to the Wi-Fi network, which was set in the router settings. After this, the laptop will connect to the Wi-Fi network.
Checking the connection of devices to the Wi-Fi repeater
After connecting any wireless device (laptop, phone, tablet) to the Wi-Fi network, check that the device is connected to the repeater and not to the router. To do this, on the access point, open the menu Wireless mode - Wireless mode statistics and see the devices connected to the TP-Link repeater.
If the MAC address of your device is not in the list, and the Internet works on it, then the device has connected to the router, since at this point the router’s signal is better than the repeater’s signal. Place the access point far from the router and connect next to it. If the device still cannot connect to the access point, check that the access point is connected to the router and that its encryption type and password are set correctly in the security settings.
Recently an old university classmate knocked on my ICQ door (Mich, hello!) and asked how to set up a bridge between two Wi-Fi access points. And I, to my great shame, did not even know what to answer, because I had never tried this before. I know that it’s possible, but here’s how – you have to poke around.
The topic interested me, so I started looking for information.
It turned out that the technology is called WDS - Wireless Distribution System. Expanding the wireless network coverage area by adding access points. The technology is supported by almost all access points and routers of the 802.11 standard, the main thing is that the corresponding setting is available in the device settings web interface (and it is definitely in the firmware from Oleg).
In my case:
We have: old ASUS WL-500W router, D-Link DWL-2100AP access point and ASUS WL-320gE access point. The router (which is 500W) is located in the nursery, approximately in the middle of the apartment. It still gets to the kitchen, but it’s almost gone to the balcony.
We want: so that Wi-Fi reaches all the way to the smoking room by the elevator and to the balcony. Before the smoking room, I wanted to be able to smoke and surf websites at the same time. Plus, when I was in the summer and I didn’t even have a phone with me, I was able to tell Katyukha that I was stuck only thanks to the fact that I had a laptop with me and the home Wi-Fi barely caught on, and then the router was in the kitchen , i.e. was closer to the elevator. In short, it will be cool if the coverage area increases towards the elevator, it might come in handy :-)
The network diagram looks like this (for now I’ll give a diagram for two devices, D-Link turned out to have a faulty power supply, so today I didn’t turn it on to the network):
So, go to the device administration panel and set the parameters:
Router WL500
IP Config - WAN & LAN menu:
WAN ip: some kind, it doesn’t matter, we don’t need it.
LAN ip: 192.168.1.1
Menu Wireless->Interface:
SSID: golnet
channel: 6
Authentication Method: WPA-Personal
WPA Encryption: TKIP
Wireless - Bridge menu:
AP Mode: Hybrid
Channel: 6
Allow anonymous? :No
We add the MAC address of the second point to the Remote Bridge List, i.e. in my case, Asus 320gE, let's say the Mac will be 111111111111
Menu Wireless - Advanced:
Extended Mode: AP or WDS
320gE access point
IP Config - LAN menu:
LAN ip: 192.168.1.254
Menu Wireless->Interface:
SSID: golnet
channel: 6
Authentication Method: WPA
WPA Encryption: TKIP
WPA Pre-Shared Key: goodpassword
Wireless - Bridge menu:
AP Mode: Hybrid
Channel: 6
Connect to APs in Remote Bridge List? : Yes
Allow anonymous? :No
We add the MAC address of the first point to the Remote Bridge List, i.e. in my case of the WL500 router, let's say the poppy will be 222222222222
Menu Wireless - Advanced:
Extended Mode: AP or WDS
That is, in principle, the settings are identical. After which we reboot the devices. That's it, the setup is complete, you can try to connect.
Setting options: in the Wireless-Bridge menu, the AP Mode field:
AP Only - only devices can connect to the point using the usual method, i.e. This is the normal operating mode of the access point
WDS Only - the access point acts only as a bridge; you cannot connect to it from a regular device.
Hybrid - the point can simultaneously act as both a wireless bridge and a regular access point. The most travel mode.
For me, this scheme only worked when assigning the same SSID to both access points and specifying the same TKIP authorization keys. And it worked in Open System mode. But the option with different SSIDs hasn’t worked out yet, but it seems like it should work with different ones, it still needs some digging.
Devices can be connected to a second access point (320gE) both on the LAN and via Wi-Fi (we set the Hybrid mode in its settings). The IP address can be assigned statically, or it can be obtained via DHCP from the main router, it doesn’t matter. It’s better, of course, to set it statically, so that there are no jambs if there is no connection between access points.
In short, the result is obvious - I installed a second access point in the kitchen, now the elevator has a full signal. One drawback is that the transmission speed drops by about half, because several devices operate on the same channel (routers plus whatever connects to them).
That seems to be it.
More setup recipes here -
