+++
title = 'DD-WRT as a Wireless Client Bridge'
date = 2024-09-16T18:55:11+03:00
draft = false
+++
If you live in a house where extending a simple networking cable would require a lot of work, you might find yourself buying something like a network printer and not being able to connect it to the network due to it not supporting wifi. These situations suck, but thankfully, there's a solution, the Wireless Client Bridge.

## Okay, what the hell is that?
A Wireless Client Bridge is a device that helps your computer/laptop/smart fridge connect to the internet when a direct wired connection to your main router wouldn't be possible.

### Pros:
* No need to spend ages googling your wifi drivers
* Better connections, as most commercial routers have better antennas than most commercial computers. 

### Cons:
* It's another appliance that you need to maintain and power.

Here's a handy diagram of what we'll be doing today:
![a diagram](/pictures/router/diagram.png)

## 1. Setting up DD-WRT
It should be obvious that you must install DD-WRT on a compatible router. I decided for this setup to go with the old but reliable TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND. But you may be asking yourself, why use DD-WRT? Well, DD-WRT is simpler than alternatives like OpenWRT. That's it.

## 2. Initial setup
After flashing DD-WRT, you should go to the setup tab, and fill in the following:
* **Connection Type**: Disabled
* **Router Name**: Can be changed to anything
* **Local IP Address**: You need to select an IP address that is not already in use on your network. For example, I chose 192.168.1.2. If your network uses a different address range, such as 192.168.0.x or 10.10.1.x, you'll need to pick an IP from that range, like 192.168.0.2 or 10.10.1.2.
* **Gateway**: You must input the IP of your main router
* **Assign WAN Port to Switch**: Enable
* **DHCP Server**: Disable

Your settings should look something like this
![](/pictures/router/Screenshot_20240915_191952.png)

## 3. Disabling the firewall
This can be done via Security > Firewall
* **SPI Firewall**: Disable

Now you may be thinking why you'd disable the firewall. Well, that is handled by your main router.

![](/pictures/router/Screenshot_20240915_193026.png)

## 4. Connecting to the wireless network:
Go to Wireless > Basic Settings and fill in the following:
* **Wireless Mode**: Client Bridge (Routed)
* **Default GW Mode**: Manual
* **Gateway**: The IP of your main router. Mine's 192.168.1.1
* **Wireless Network Mode**: Mixed
* **Wireless Network Name (SSID)**: Your SSID. I redacted mine.

![](/pictures/router/Screenshot_20240915_192022.png)

Now go to the Wireless Security tab and chose the following (these are the most common settings found on most routers):
* **Security Mode**: WPA
* **Network Authentication**: WPA2 Personal
* **WPA Shared Key**: your password

![](/pictures/router/Screenshot_20240915_192203.png)

Now you can check if you configured the wireless stuff correctly by going to the Status > Wireless tab and reviewing the stuff there.

## 5. Profit
Now you can finally apply all the changes. You'll have to change to 192.168.1.2 or whatever IP you chose in step 1 for the router. 

I am still a DD-WRT novice, so if I missed anything, or something doesn't work properly, please let me know. 