topic R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater in Unleashed

R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

Rayb — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 23:46:44 GMT

Hi,

I have a Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ as Gateway Router & primary WiFi authenticator.

I would like to use the R500 as WiFi Repeater (no cabled connection) to extend WiFi range, but I'm unable to figure out how through the Ruckus user interface or documents. The R500 is the only Ruckus device I have.

Any input on the subject is greatly appreciated.

Re: R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

Vineet_nejwala — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 02:20:15 GMT

Hi @Rayb

Ruckus device can't work with third party as a repeater though if you have two Ruckus AP you can use mesh technology in which one AP will play as root (connected via cable) while other as mesh (no cabled connection).

Best Regards

Vineet

Re: R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

Rayb — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 17:03:49 GMT

Thank you for taking time to answer.

For posterity: As you imply, the reverse setup (Ruckus as Gateway Router, Linksys or other device as Repeater / client) would most likely work, since those devices have client AP mode in the software.

Thanks!

Re: R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

Rayb — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 17:20:44 GMT

Thanks for that solution @ms264556

I flashed the Solo AP Firmware then changed the IP to Static 192.168.1.2 / 24 - strangely, the default user + pw combo does not work on the browser (https) login, but does work for the ssh login. I did a Reset, and I could login from browser, but when I changed the IP again, same problem - can't login.

I made the modifications per your Github link, but I can't check if it worked or not since the web interface does not let me in. CORRECTION: Fairly certain that the R500 is not connecting to the Gateway & the web UI would be useful in trying to debug.

Thanks.

Re: R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

ms264556 — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:22:04 GMT

Edited:

Sorry, it looks like they changed something in the 110.0 release which stops this from working.

I just installed 104.0.0.0.1347 on an R500 and followed the github steps, and everything works.

(note: the steps only configure the uplink, so make sure you also enable and configure a WLAN if you're going to connect clients wirelessly)

Re: R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

Rayb — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:46:06 GMT

Hi,

* Downgraded to 104.0 as suggested. The connection is cabled ethernet, and I was able to login to web UI (problem was Privoxy http proxy on Firefox).

* I made the adjustments to Wireless8 (2.4G) & Wireless16 (5G). The web UI shows all radios are Disabled. Am I supposed to Enable Wireless8 & Wireless16?

* When I enable Wireless1, it just shows up as a separate unprotected SSID. Do I need to enable other radios for the wifi bridge to work?

* My wireless scanner shows the 2.4G SSID on the R500 is up, but on a different channel than the Linksys Gateway. The 5G channel is NOT up, but the device 5G indicator light is on. Nmap shows that the R500 is not registered on the LAN (neither 2.4 nor 5).

Re: R500-Unleashed: Configure as WiFi Repeater

Rayb — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:54:04 GMT

UPDATE:

I changed R500 IP to DHCP instead of static - same result, no connection to Gateway. Furthermore, the 2.4G SSID on R500 shows up as open (no password requested). WiFi device fails to connect to the R500 SSID with the "could not get IP" message, meaning that the R500 is not repeating the Authoritative DHCP traffic from the Linksys Gateway.

Thanks & Regards.