TechInfoDepot:DD-WRT/Linking Routers

In this tutorial, we will discuss different alternatives for linking routers in order to create wifi networks or just repeaters.

Access Point / Switch
Extend the Wireless access area using more routers, with wired connections between routers, or turn a wired port on an existing network into a Wireless Access Point. All computers will be on the same network segment, and will be able to see one another in Windows Network.
 * Wireless Access Point - Extend Wi-Fi & LAN (Requires physical ethernet connection between routers)
 * Switch - Similar config as WAP, but radio disabled (accepts only wired connections)

Repeater / Repeater Bridge
Extend the Wireless access area using a second router. Second router does not need any wired connections.
 * Repeater Bridge - A wireless repeater with DHCP & NAT disabled, clients on same subnet as host AP (primary router). That is, all computers can see one another in Windows Network.
 * Repeater - A wireless repeater with DHCP & NAT enabled, clients on different subnet from host AP (primary router). Computers connected to one router can not see computers connected to other routers in Windows Network.
 * Universal Wireless Repeater - Uses a program/script called AutoAP to keep a connection to the nearest/best host AP.

Client / Client Bridge
Connect two wired networks using a WiFi link.
 * Client Bridged - Join two wired networks by two Wireless routers building a bridge. All computers can see one another in Windows Network.
 * Client Mode - Join two wired networks by two Wireless routers (unbridged). Computers on one wired network can not see computers on other wired network in Windows Network.

WDS
Extend the Wireless access area using more routers connected WIRELESSLY. WDS is a mesh network. Routers must almost always have the SAME chipset type for WDS to work, and any non dd-wrt routers must be WDS compatible. Using identical routers is best, but not always niece essay if all devices have the same chipset types. (All Broadcom or all Atheros etc)
 * WDS Linked router network
 * WDS Point To Point (P2P)
 * WDS REPEATER on QCA

OLSR
Extend the Wireless access area using more routers. Extra routers does not need any wired connections. Use several ISP (Internet) connections. OLSR is a mesh network.
 * Mesh Networking with OLSR
 * WifiDog and OLSR

Comparisons

 * Repeating Mode Comparisons
 * Bridging Mode Comparisons