WDS working using 2750U and 2640T - but a problem

[tingu]

I am facing problem regarding WDS.
I have two wireless routers - Dlink 2750U and Dlink DSL-2640T.
2750U is the primary router and is connected to internet. I wanted to connect 2640T in Bridge or repeater mode wirelessly.
After a lot of searching, following is the configuration that worked.

1) Primary - Dlink 2750U

IP Address 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

DHCP Enabled
Start IP Address: 192.168.1.100
End IP Address: 192.168.1.200

WAP Enabled
SSID : MYConn
Channel : 6
Under Wireless Security
Network Authentication: None

Under Wireless -- Bridge
Remote Bridges MAC Address - MAC Address of 2640T +1 (MAC Address of WLAN)

===================================================
2) Secondary - Dlink 2640T
IP Address 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

DHCP Disabled

WAP Enabled
SSID : MYConn
Channel : 6
Under Wireless Security
Network Authentication: WPA2
PassKey : SomepassKey

WDS Enabled
WDS Mode: Crude

Bridging Direction Enable MAC address
Uplink: Yes MAC Address of 2750U +1 (MAC Address of WLAN)
==========================================================

Above configuration works and am able to connect to internet using 2640T which is connected wirelessly to my primary router 2750U.
The problem is that it works only when Network Authentication is set to "None" under Wireless Security on primary router.
As soon as I change Network Authentication on my primary router to WEP/WPA/WPA2, the wireless connection between the routers get disconnected.
Changing Network Authentication on my secondary router does not have any effect on wireless connection.

I hope experts here would be able to solve my problem here.

[thechief]

Shouldn't the SSIDs of the two routers be different?

You may also want to look here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4620

[tingu]

Have tried by changing the SSID on one of the router, but no success. Even with different SSIDs they only connect when primary router's network authentication is set to None.

You may also want to look here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4620

Have seen this. Since both my routers have their OEM's firmware, I have tried to configure the routers with configuration as close to the above guide as possible.

It is strange that they work only when primary router's network authentication is none.
Since my secondary router is connected to Smart TV, I do not require the connection to be UP all the time. So whenever I need the connection, I just disable network authentication on primary router and the TV gets connected.
But it is not a solution (Security and all).

Waiting for help

[thechief]

Waiting for help

WDS normally works best when the hardware and/or software across all the devices is the same. So, either use two 2750U routers or two 2640T routers, and then it may all work.

[tingu]

It seems that WDS will not work with WPA/WPA2 as WPA/WPA2 encrypt the MAC address.

I think I will have to live with it for some more time, till I get another Wireless router which supports these features.

[thechief]

It seems that WDS will not work with WPA/WPA2 as WPA/WPA2 encrypt the MAC address.

I think I will have to live with it for some more time, till I get another Wireless router which supports these features.

With RouterTech 1350A wireless firmwares, there is no such restriction.

[tingu]

It seems that WDS will not work with WPA/WPA2 as WPA/WPA2 encrypt the MAC address.

I think I will have to live with it for some more time, till I get another Wireless router which supports these features.

With RouterTech 1350A wireless firmwares, there is no such restriction.

But I think RouterTech firmware has a Love-Hate relationship with 2640T
I had earlier tried RUC and it has thrown some warnings. I have decide to buy a cheap TP-link router first and would then try not to brick my 2640T and try to install RouterTech Firmware.

I know that I would need your help then. In the mean time please have a look at RUC's output

Code: Select all

Router Upgrade Check 1.4.1 15-07-2012 00:41:49
Router IP: 192.168.1.2
CLI is needed
Description: Dlink DSL-2640T
Board type: AR7VW
Product ID: AR7WRD
Bootloader: psbl
RAM 16.0 MB
Flash (ROM) 4.0 MB
ADAM2: No
No default env: No
Linux version: 2.4.17_mvl21-malta-mips_fp_le
Firmware build: 
Firmware version: V3.02B01T01.EU-C.20070306
Firmware stamp: 20070306152426
CPU: MIPS 4KEc V4.8
DSP: 6.00.04.00
Annex: A
/proc/wlan: Yes
/usr/sbin/wlan: Yes
TIAP: Yes
TNETW: Yes
Wireless: Yes
WIFI chip: TNETW1350A
WIFI chip conf: Yes
Ports: 4
Ports (according to router): N/A
Marvell (or Marvell like): No
NSP: V3.02B01T01.EU-C.20070306
Manufacturers: D-link Corporation
RNDIS: Telogy Networks Inc
HRNDIS: Telogy Networks Inc
Warning! Core Logic (NSP) could not be read. If the Core Logic version is too low you may need to upgrade to your router manufacturer's latest firmware first.
WARNING
Your router does not have a Marvell switch and so your switch may or may not be supported.
Realtek and IP175C switches are supported in the TNETW1350A firmware. Your Ethernet ports may or may not function correctly with a RouterTech firmware.
Warning: The vlynq_polarity variable is missing from your environment, which may prevent the wireless part of your router from working.Try creating the variable using 'setenv vlynq_polarity high'.

Select an AR7WRD PSPBOOT TNETW1350A 4 PORT firmware.
Latest: routertech-ar7wrd-1350A-pspboot-firmware-4ports-20120130.zip
Please read the instructions that come with the firmware files before you upgrade.
Note: a later version of the firmware may exist depending on the how up to date the RUC is.
The date-stamp may be superseded, but the rest of the filename should be the same.
With your current MTD values, you have to upgrade your firmware using separate firmware image files.
You may be able to use a single image, provided you set mtd4 to 0x90020000,0x90400000

/etc /versions
CUSTOMER=DLinkEU-C
MODEL=DSL-2640T
VERSION=V3.02B01T01.EU-C.20070306
HTML_LANG=EN.302
BOARD=AR7VW
VERSION_ID=
CPUARCH_NAME=AR7
MODEL_ID=
FSSTAMP=20070306152426
# 
/proc/wlan
# 
/usr/sbin/wlan
# 
/proc/ticfg/env
BUILD_OPS       0x301
bootloaderVersion       1.3.7.15
ProductID       AR7WRD
HWRevision      Unknown
IPA     5.8.8.8
MAC_PORT        0
MEMSZ   0x01000000
FLASHSZ 0x00400000
CPUFREQ 211968000
MIPSFREQ        211968000
SYSFREQ 105984000
PROMPT  (psbl)
mtd2    0x90000000,0x90010000
mtd3    0x90010000,0x90020000
autoload        1
autoload_timeout        7
BOOTCFG m:f:"mtd1"
MODETTY0        38400,n,8,1,hw
MODETTY1        38400,n,8,1,hw
vcc_encaps0     0.0
vcc_encaps1     0.0
vcc_encaps2     0.0
vcc_encaps3     0.0
vcc_encaps4     0.0
vcc_encaps5     0.0
vcc_encaps6     0.0
vcc_encaps7     0.0
usb_serial      N/A
enable_margin_retrain   1
HWA_RNDIS       00:E0:A6:66:41:EB
HWA_HRNDIS      00:E0:A6:66:41:E1
StaticBuffer    384
HWA_3   01:e0:03:04:05:03
cpmac_phy       0
mtd0    0x900b1000,0x903e0000
mtd1    0x90020090,0x900b1000
mtd4    0x90020000,0x903e0000
IPA_SVR 192.168.1.100
usb_vid 0x0
usb_pid 0x0
usb_man N/A
usb_prod        N/A
eoc_vendor_id   0x444C696E6B000000
SW_FEATURES     0XC000
modulation      0xffff
eoc_vendor_revision     20070306
invntry_vernum  2007030600000000
WLAN_EEPROM0    021156041B06001200000701095612000000010D56A9000000026D542F050056
WLAN_EEPROM1    04120000013984000100000101854C1068900105850600100001298507000000
WLAN_EEPROM2    01C1850000300001C585000000000111850000FFFF0115850000F0FF01A58500
WLAN_EEPROM3    8000000109850000800201010C03000000012184000000800181851D00030001
WLAN_EEPROM4    55090100000001E5580200000001F1580800000001D5581000000001B1580400
WLAN_EEPROM5    0000000000000000000C00C300FE0008011401260144014D014F0165019F01AF
WLAN_EEPROM6    01B70101390000110004010101000501060002010201021E000A000205020411
WLAN_EEPROM7    2244030610203031324004095449204143583130300507544920546573740108
WLAN_EEPROM8    150F0A7AC25901D30502000038006F00A700E60004044410F9034510F603185A
WLAN_EEPROM9    4000145A2400020E0801D7000A0174026400C10176095000DB000A0183026400
WLAN_EEPROM10   B20176090107100000400000010000050400010100000000FFFFFFFFFDFDFDFD
WLAN_EEPROM11   FBF4F4F4F40E04FEFEFEFFFFFFFFFF090000FF09090909090909090909090909
WLAN_EEPROM12   0909090909090909000009FFFFFFFEFEFEFEFF0909090909090909090909090E
WLAN_EEPROM13   0100000000000000000000000000000302A318A3180700012000000000000000
WLAN_EEPROM14   00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
NVS_TFTP_LOAD   0
HWA_0   00:1B:XX:XX:XX:XX (masked the MAC)
mac_ap  00:1B:XX:XX:XX:XX (masked the MAC)
eoc_vendor_serialnum    00:1B:XX:XX:XX:XX_00000000000000 (Same as HWA_0)
SerialNumber    00:1B:XX:XX:XX:XX (Same as HWA_0)
# 
/proc/sys/dev/adam2/environment
cat: /proc/sys/dev/adam2/environment: No such file or directory
# 
/proc/version
Linux version 2.4.17_mvl21-malta-mips_fp_le (looking@localhost.localdomain) (gcc version 2.95.3 20010315 (release/MontaVista)) #2 Tue Mar 6 15:19:58 CST 2007
# 
/proc/cpuinfo
processor               : 0
cpu model               : MIPS 4KEc V4.8
BogoMIPS                : 211.35
wait instruction        : no
microsecond timers      : yes
extra interrupt vector  : yes
hardware watchpoint     : yes
VCED exceptions         : not available
VCEI exceptions         : not available
# 
/proc/avalanche/avsar_ver
ATM Driver version:[6.00.01.00]
DSL HAL version: [6.00.01.00]
DSP Datapump version: [6.00.04.00] Annex A
SAR HAL version: [01.07.2b]
PDSP Firmware version:[0.54]
Chipset ID: [Ohio250(7200/7100A2)]
# 
/proc/interrupts
  7:    57647   R4000 timer/counter [MIPS interrupt]
  8:        0   unified secondary [hw0 (Avalanche Primary)]
 15:      851   serial [hw0 (Avalanche Primary)]
 23:        0 + SAR  [hw0 (Avalanche Primary)]
 27:     1265 + Cpmac Driver [hw0 (Avalanche Primary)]
 29:    15246   vlynq0 [hw0 (Avalanche Primary)]
 31:        6 + DSL  [hw0 (Avalanche Primary)]
 80:    15246   TNETW1150 [hw0 (Low Vlynq)]
# 
/proc/modules
tiap                  902760   2
tiatm                 133696   0
# 
/proc/flashinfo
cat: /proc/flashinfo: No such file or directory
# 
/etc/PORTS
cat: /etc/PORTS: No such file or directory
# 
logic:status/nspver
V3.02B01T01.EU-C.20070306

logic:status/has_marvell
0

/etc /led.conf
#################################################################
# Configuration File for AR7WRD board
##################################################################
##################################################################
# The GPIO numbers 0 to 31  ==> correspond to GPIO pins  #########
# The GPIO numbers 32,33 are mapped to ADSL (LED) pins ###########
##################################################################
module = adsl    # module = {adsl,usb,pppoe,wlan}
##################################################################
# Note: state 0 for adsl is dummy state and is present only for ##
#       compatibility with the new LED driver                   ##
##################################################################
state   = 0     # 0=dummy, 1=idle, 2=training, 3=sync, 4=activity
gpio    = 33    # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 1     # 0=dummy, 1=idle, 2=training, 3=sync, 4=activity
gpio    = 33    # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 2     # 0=dummy, 1=idle, 2=training, 3=sync, 4=activity
gpio    = 33    # gpio number
mode    = 4     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 200   # flash on duration in ms
param2  = 200   # flash off duration in ms
state   = 3     # 0=dummy, 1=idle, 2=training, 3=sync, 4=activity
gpio    = 33    # gpio number
mode    = 1     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 4     # 0=dummy, 1=idle, 2=training, 3=sync, 4=activity
gpio    = 33    # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 25    # blink/flash rate in ms
######################################################################
module = cpmac    # module = {adsl,usb,pppoe,wlan,cpmac}
state   = 0     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 15    # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 1     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 15    # gpio number
mode    = 1     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 2     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 15    # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 100   # blink/flash rate in ms
state   = 3     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 15    # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 100   # blink/flash rate in ms
#################################################
module = usb    # module = {adsl,usb,pppoe,wlan}
state   = 0     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 12    # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 1     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 12    # gpio number
mode    = 1     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 2     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 12    # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 100   # blink/flash rate in ms
state   = 3     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 12    # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 100   # blink/flash rate in ms
######################################################################
module = pppoe    # module = {adsl,usb,pppoe,wlan}
state   = 0     # 0 = pppoe down, 1 = pppoe active
gpio    = 13    # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 1     # 0 = pppoe down, 1 = pppoe active
gpio    = 13    # gpio number
mode    = 1     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
######################################################################
module = wlan   # module = {adsl,usb,pppoe,wlan}
state   = 0     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up
gpio    = 6     # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 1     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up
gpio    = 6     # gpio number
mode    = 1     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 2     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 6     # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 100   # blink/flash rate in ms
state   = 3     # 0 = link down, 1 = link up, 2 = pkt rcv, 3 = pkt xmit
gpio    = 6     # gpio number
mode    = 2     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 100   # blink/flash rate in ms
######################################################################
module = status    # module = {adsl,usb,pppoe, status}
state   = 0     # 0 = status down, 1 = status active
gpio    = 8    # gpio number
mode    = 0     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 1     # 0 = status down, 1 = status active
gpio    = 8    # gpio number
mode    = 1     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
state   = 2     # 0 = status down, 1 = status active
gpio    = 8    # gpio number
mode    = 4     # 0 = off,1 = on,2 = blinkoff,3 = blinkon, 4 = Flash
param1  = 500   # flash on duration in ms
param2  = 500   # flash off duration in ms

[thechief]

But I think RouterTech firmware has a Love-Hate relationship with 2640T

It is more a question of internal hardware differences between different batches of 2640T. In any case, it won't brick the router if you follow all the instructions - but whether it works or not is a different matter. IMHO, it all depends on what is inside the router. It seems that not all 2640Ts are equal - so it all depends on which 2640T you have, and there is no way of knowing until you flash the firmware. As usual, if in doubt, then don't proceed ...

[tingu]

Some updates here...
I bought a TP-Link WR740N wireless router for two reasons..
1) Cheap router
2) Supported by DD-WRT firmware.

Tried the above mentioned setup using my 2750U (as primary router) and tplink's WR740N (as secondary router with stock firmware). Couldn't Connect. Then flashed the DD-WRT firmware on WR740N and again tried.
It Worked

After setting up everything using 2750U and WR740N, I decided to do something with my DSL 2640T.

But I think RouterTech firmware has a Love-Hate relationship with 2640T

It is more a question of internal hardware differences between different batches of 2640T. In any case, it won't brick the router if you follow all the instructions - but whether it works or not is a different matter. IMHO, it all depends on what is inside the router. It seems that not all 2640Ts are equal - so it all depends on which 2640T you have, and there is no way of knowing until you flash the firmware. As usual, if in doubt, then don't proceed ...

Encouraged by comments of thechief, I decided to flash it with routertech firmware.

I downloaded the firmware as recommended by RUC and read the complete installtion procedure in the firmware/docs directory.
It helps to actually read the instructions
I followed the procedure and was able to upgrade my 2640T to RouterTech firmware.

Now to set up WDS.
I did all the configuration for WDS with on exception.
In my Primary router 2750U I did not enabled the wireless security, but on my Secondary router 2640T (with routertech firmware) the wifi has security enabled with WPA2.

In this setup, everything works.

Now if I set the security of my primary router 2750U, the wireless connection to 2640U is lost

So even after upgrading my router to RouterTech firmware, the problem remains the same. What to do now??

Any help.

[thechief]

This is what I said earlier

Waiting for help

WDS normally works best when the hardware and/or software across all the devices is the same. So, either use two 2750U routers or two 2640T routers, and then it may all work.

[tingu]

Yes.....

This is what I said earlier

Waiting for help

WDS normally works best when the hardware and/or software across all the devices is the same. So, either use two 2750U routers or two 2640T routers, and then it may all work.

But you also said....

It seems that WDS will not work with WPA/WPA2 as WPA/WPA2 encrypt the MAC address.

I think I will have to live with it for some more time, till I get another Wireless router which supports these features.

With RouterTech 1350A wireless firmwares, there is no such restriction.

It is not that they are not connectiong, It is just that I have to disable security on my primary router.
I was searching a solution for this problem...seems hard luck.

[thechief]

With RouterTech 1350A wireless firmwares, there is no such restriction.

When you have two or more routers running RouterTech firmwares. I thought this was implicit in what I was saying?

[tingu]

With RouterTech 1350A wireless firmwares, there is no such restriction.

When you have two or more routers running RouterTech firmwares. I thought this was implicit in what I was saying?

I thought it would work, my bad
Anyway, I don't have the original firmware so can't go back to it and am now with routertech firmware. Will keep on trying to make best of the present situation

On the brighter side.... I have an updated firmware...yay...

[thechief]

Have you tried using the 2640T as your primary router?

[tingu]

Have you tried using the 2640T as your primary router?

Can't do that.. 2 reasons
1) The ADSL port of 2640T is not working. Someone donated it to me after the port went bad.
2) Don't have ADSL modem

That is why I use 2750U as primary (has built in modem) and 2640T as secondary.