WDS (Hybrid) problems....

How do I troubleshoot my WDS setup?

I originally got my wl-500gx configured as a WDS-Only client with the default firmware to a Linksys WRT54G (also default firmware). But I could only get it to work using Open or WEP security, which made me switch to Oleg’s great firmware. (Also to get an easy Samba configuration).

After uploading 1.9.2.7-6b I got WDS with WPA-PSK working in less than 2 minutes – great! :-)

But then I had a lot of problems getting Samba to work, maybe because I’m currently using NTFS on my usb disc… Different problem, different story… Then main problem is that I suddenly lost all contact to my wl-500gx which forced me to reset to factory settings, which I didn’t do before uploading Oleg’s firmware. Well, I just configured it again, but I simply can’t get it to connect to my Linksys anymore. Now I even have changed my Linksys from using WPA-PSK to Open, but I still can’t get it to connect. Before the reset I could always see a line in the WirelessLog window like this: “Connect <SSID>” or “Connecting <SSID>” which made it easy to check if it was connected or not. Now it just shows this:

>Mode : WDS Only
>Channel : 1
>
>Stations List
>----------------------------------------

I simply can’t see that it even tries to connect.
All my setup is done using GUI, so please be very specific if I need to use SystemCommands or telnet.

My setup is like this:
Operation Mode:
Access Point
Wireless-Interface:
SSID: <Same as Linksys>
Channel: 1 <Same as Linksys>
Wireless mode: Auto
AuthenticationMode: Open or Share key
WEP Encryption: None
WirelessBridge:
AP Mode: WDS Only
Channel: 1
Connect to APs in Remote Bridge List: Yes
Allow anonymous: No
Remote Bridge List: <MAC of my Linksys as shown in Linksys status page>
WirelessAdvanced
Extended Mode: AP or WDS
Enable Radio: Yes :-)
IP Config – LAN
Host Name: dot2
Get IP Automatically: No
IP Address: 10.0.0.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 10.0.0.1 (Ip of Linksys)
The AIR led is on and flashes once in a while..

You can see my SystemLog right here: http://bassebo.frac.dk/PDJ-WL500-Log.txt

Any help much appreciated.

PS: I actually thought I had a wl-500g de-luxe, but was unable to load Oleg’s firmware until I tried the wl-500gx edition. Can I have a wl-500gx even though it says wl-500g on the unit?

SORRY !!! I used the incorrect MAC for my Linksys. I took it from the Status\Router and not Status\Wireless - That actually means it ignored the MAC before, because I'm quite sure it was the same mac I used originally. (Type-ahead log)

Well, now I got them connected but now I have problems when I enable WPA, but I think I'll be able to solve them, but I still miss better WDS connection status...

/Peter

I'm also using a digiconnect router in combination with an ASUS and a set of Senao APs to try and extend the wireless network using WDS. The problem is with the digiconnect router which seems to only aquire the IP of the gateway if you plug it in via its WAN/Internet port to your wired internet, which is precisely what I don't want, so I'm getting rid of it.

That said, it did work setting up my ASUS to extend the network through WDS by setting up the Digiconnect wired to the WAN modem and then using the ASUS as a repeater/AP (called Hybrid in WDS settings) - not the solution I want but maybe OK in your situation.

If you did find a way to set up the digiconnect to extend your network, please let me know, I'd like to know how you did it.

I can't tell you about the digiconnect, but your ifconfig output looks right. I have a busy WDS link between the WL-500g and some Siemens SE505/SE515 routers and my ifconfig gives me

Code:

---

wds0.4915 Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:0E:A6:B7:DB:6B
          inet6 addr: fe80::20e:a6ff:feb7:db6b/10 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:0 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:100
          RX bytes:0 (0.0 B)  TX bytes:0 (0.0 B)

---

So that the counters are zero seems to be normal.

Werner

http://flexblog.deburau.de/index.php?cat=3

some time ago I tried to get wds with wpa encryption workin on my two asus wl-500g

after trying some of the firmwares I was so annoyed that I used wep 128 with mac filter and it ran stable, I didnt' get wpa working.

but now I would be very interested in getting to know if someone uses wds with wpa encryption in any newer firmware

if yes, let me know which firmware and if you had difficulties to get it workin

Would be really nice to upgrade my network to a more secure state :)

To my knowledge, WDS does not work together with WPA on the WL-500g (and the Siemens SE505/515, which I'm using too). But it should be possible in principle using the right software as you can read following this link.

I solved the security problem by breaking up the bridge between LAN and WLAN and configuring iptables to block traffic. Clients on the WLAN use OpenVPN to access my internal network. The clients on the WLAN should have personal firewalls enabled as if they where accessing the internet directly.

Werner

http://flexblog.deburau.de/index.php?cat=3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oleg

This bug list if for stocks firmwares only. So, every firmware based on the 1.8.1.7 should work, including stock 1.8.1.7 and custom 1.8.1.7-x.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by El Vino

Yeah, finally, it works !
I set it up with custom firmware 1.8.1.7-3 on BOTH wl500g's.
Thank you very much Oleg, you did a great job ! :cool:

Regards, El Vino

---

that were two posts from a thread before so I thought it should work with newer firmware
is there really no one who has that thing workin from that posts on? otherwise I have to check this one on my own again :(

vpn is not useful there, doesn't make sense in this configuration

But the FAQ for "Known bugs in official Asus firmware" reads:

Quote:

---

9. WDS using WPA encryption does not function. No connection is established.
Affected versions: all stock firmwares except firmware 1.8.1.7

---

I have a Linksys WRT54G running latest official firmware (4.20.7) used as router.

I then have a WL-500gx running the latest firmware from Oleg (1.9.2.7-6b) which connects using WDS and WPA.

It seems to work ok.

nice report

will try so ;)

maybe the problem is only between two asus devices, then I have a problem :)

I actually started http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=3406 because I couldn't get it to work either ;-)

yeah! it works

asus got it working in the new firmware 1.9.5.0

I read another thread in the forum where someone said he works with this one and wds

I gave it a try and it really works without any! problems.

WDS/WPA-PSK TKIP works with 1.8.1.7, 1.9.4.0 beta and 1.9.5.0 beta.

ah ok

but nevertheless I think it should be mentioned that asus finally got it working in their newer firmware and so there should be no problems in future (I hope so...)

and for the beginners which get their new asus device it gets easier to config this one

you seem to have this configuration running, please tell me if your air led lights, since I've upgraded the devices don't show any activity there

This is really a very good news !!

Oleg, are you still working on 1.9.2.7 original firmware or did you move to 1.9.5.0 ?

JF

I hope he is workin on it :)

Hi!

I wanted to use my WL-500g as a home gateway (WDS/AP) and an aditional WL-300g as an ethernet bridge (WDS only) for connecting my dbox to WLAN. My WL-500g has the FW 1.9.5.0 and WL-300g the FW 1.9.3.6 - at a time the latest official FW I think.

The problem is: without any encryption I have a wireless link between 500g and 300g. If I try to enable WPA-PSK (TKIP) there is no link between two devices. The status of WL-300g says "connecting to <ssid>..." and nothing happens.

In this thread you mean a WL-500g works very well in WDS mode with WPA and FW 1.9.5.0. So the problem must be with WL-300g? Is there any FW version for WL-300g that works as ethernet bridge/WDS and WPA?

I thank you all in advance for any tip!

br

Robert

I think only a newer version of wl-300g firmware will be the solution

The joke of this story is - at first I had only a WL-300g from ASUS. I wanted to use it with my "old" router SMC2804WRP-G. Of course that didn't work caused by the same reason, so I contacted the ASUS support. A fiendishly clever ASUS guy sad to me: "because such a mode is specified badly, you should use an ASUS product (e.g. WL-300g or WL-500g) as a remote station, then it will work fine".

So I bought a WL-500g last week. And now I found out that the problem was probably always with the WL-300g. Ok, I musst confess that WL-500g is better then SMC2804WRP-G in every way, but although I would kill this guy from ASUS support with my own hands...

br

Robert

OK, after countless tried firmware versions and configs, hours of searching, "googleing" and reading I've solved my problem.

Maybe my post here is slightly OT because my problem was due to WL-300g and not to WL-500g. So administrators/moderators - youe are allowed to move this post to the WL-300 thread.

I left the WL-500g firmware always at 1.9.5.0 bacause of informations in this thread and I tried several firmwares for WL-300g for getting WDS/ethernet bridge with WPA-PSK started.

-> official 1.9.3.5 - doesn't work, no connection to WL-500g at all

-> custom 1.9.2.7-6b doesn't work, WL-300g says "connected to <WL-500 SSID>" but reports no MAC of the remote WL-500g back. WL-500g says "<WL-300g MAC> associated", but there is no connection to the WL-300g, no ping etc.

-> custom 1.8.1.7-3 doesnt' work, same symptoms like 1.9.2.7-6b

-> custom 1.9.2.7-5a works! WL-300g says "Connected to <WL-500g SSID>" and reports its MAC address back! WL-500 says "<WL-300g MAC> associated authorized"

That all lets me suppose, that the "WDS WPA bug" was solved in the FW release 1.9.2.7-5a and returned with the FW release 1.9.2.7-6b or earlier. Maybe the custom FW developer (Oleg?) is interested on this fact...

Regards

Robert

I have read all the threads in this forum regarding this topic. I have forund some anwsers but not all. Here is my setup:

Existing LAN---WL-500GX(1) --- wifi --- WL-500GX(2)--New LAN (4 clients pluged into wl-500)

My problems:
- I'd like the clients on the new lan to get their IP assigned from the separate DHCP server on the existing lan.

- I'd like to have the wifi part encripted with WPA (do I select WPA or WPA-PSK in the setup)

- I'd like both units to work in hybrid mode, as I also have some wifi enabled notbooks visiting.

So far I have done the followong:
- both units have the 1.9.5.0 firmware from asus
- the setup works like intented if i don't use encription
- i have enterd the MAC adress listed on the bottom of the unit into the other unti's wireles/bridge list (one shows the other in the status/wireless but the other just shows connection to:...)
- both units are set to router mode.

Colud someone help me with some steps on howto get my setup working.

thanks

I have a WL-500gx with Oleg's 1.9.27-6b firmware. It is set up for WDS through another gateway wireless router.
When trying to install ipkg using ipkg.sh I get network cannot be reached in a telnet session.

Is this because it's in WDS mode? I intend to install the php server package. Will this work in WDS mode?

Thanks much

I'm having trouble configuring WDS. I expect I'm doing something dumb but I haven't discovered what it is so far in browsing this forum (or anywhere else)

I have a WL-500g Deluxe and I've upgraded the bootloader (now WL500gd-01-04-01-50) and the firmware (now Oleg's WL500gx-1.9.2.7-6b). I'm trying to get it to connect to another router - I've tried a Linksys WAG54G and am now using a Belkin F5D7633 - both give the same result. The Asus and Belkin claim to have a WDS connection (e.g. the Asus appears in the Belkin's list of remote bridges) but I don't have any usable connectivity.

My setup is like this:
Belkin - 192.168.1.1 - ADSL gateway to internet
Linux PC - 192.168.1.105 - connected to Belkin by ethernet, able to access internet
Asus - 192.168.1.193
Windows PC - 192.168.1.200 - connected to Asus by ethernet LAN

The PCs can each ping their directly connected router, but can't ping the other router or the other PC. Each router can only ping its locally connected PC. I can run telnet into both routers from their local PC.

I'm not sure what other configuration is important (I find the Asus very confusing!). What should I be checking?

Thanks and regards,
Dave Howorth

Here's some more information.

I have all wireless security turned off. Both routers are on channel 6 and have different SSIDs. A wireless laptop can connect to either router successfully.

I've tried the Asus in all three modes: Home Gateway, Router and Access Point. That doesn't seem to make any difference. I'm presently using Access Point.

The routing table from the Asus is:

Dest G/W mask flags MSS Win irtt Iface
192.168.1.0 * 255.255.255.0 U 40 0 0 br0
127.0.0.0 * 255.0.0.0 U 40 0 0 lo

and that from the Belkin:

Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface
217.47.xx.xxx * 255.255.255.255 UH 0 0 0 ppp_0_38_1
192.168.1.0 * 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 br0
default 217.47.xx.xxx 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 ppp_0_38_1

Sorry, I don't know how to make it format neatly :confused:

They look to me like they should be sending local traffic to each other.

I'm currently trying two ways to get more information about what's wrong:

1. The Belkin has a 'wlctl' command with lots of options - I'm trying to see if I can discover anything using that.
2. I'm trying to load miki's signal strength script on the Asus, since it shows WDS peers. <http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=4025&highlight=wds>

But I'm stuck with (2) at the moment because the Asus has stopped recognizing my Sony memory stick. It was working but now it can't mount it. Both Windows and Linux mount it OK (it's fat32 AFAIK). I don't know whether it's not working because I've upgraded from the official firmware to Oleg's or because I've done something to the memory stick.

Dave

I'm have absolutely no DEEPER knowledge of WDS or other extended W-Lan structures, but: shouldn't the 2 APs have the same SSID? Of course I maybe absolutely wrong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheEagle

shouldn't the 2 APs have the same SSID?

---

I don't think so. AFAIK, for WDS it's only the channel number that matters. Using different SSIDs lets a wireless client decide which side of the bridge to connect to if they're both visible. I did try using the same SSID for a while and it didn't seem to make any difference.

Is there some way to sniff wireless packets? Sort of ethereal for wireless. That might show me what's wrong. At the moment I'm just tweaking settings pretty much at random.

Thanks, Dave

Hmm, some slight progress. Messing with the Belkin's wlctl command I've found these commands:

wds Set or get the list of WDS member MAC addresses.
Set using a space separated list of MAC addresses.
wl wds xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx [xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx ...]

lazywds Set or get "lazy" WDS mode (dynamically grant WDS membership to anyone).

And here's the result of using them:

> wlctl wds
> wlctl lazywds
lazywds is 0 (off)
> wlctl lazywds 1
> wlctl wds
wds 00:11:D8:70:1A:26
> wlctl wds
> wlctl lazywds
lazywds is 1 (on)

When I first use wds, it doesn't return any values (even though the Belkin's web page says:

Remote Bridges MAC Address: SSID BSSID
[tick] asus 00:11:D8:70:1A:26

and it says lazywds is off even though it's web page says 'bridge mode: auto' so I turn lazwds on and then the wds command shows me the MAC address of the Asus!! AND I can ping from the PC local to the Asus to the PC on the Belkin! But not the other way around. WORSE, the Asus isn't responding to HTTP or telnet requests now, even though I haven't touched it.

I typed the wds command again, and now it doesn't list the Asus again, but the pinging is still working.

I'm well confused !!!

Dave

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dave.Howorth

I can ping from the PC local to the Asus to the PC on the Belkin! But not the other way around. WORSE, the Asus isn't responding to HTTP or telnet requests now, even though I haven't touched it.
Dave

---

I'm still very confused but slightly happier now. What's happened is that the Asus has taken a DHCP address from the Belkin and is using that. Don't understand why it did that. But I can ping it, telnet to it or reach it's web pages using that address now.

So now I need to find a way to make this connection keep working indefinitely.

And I need to find out why the Asus is no longer reading my USB stick.

And check performance and reliability and then see if I can connect my Toppy to the USB port successfully.

Cheers, Dave

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dave.Howorth

I don't think so.

---

This is a requirement. As well as adding WDS partners to MAC list on each router or enabling anonymous (lazy) mode. You've to use web interface. RTFM if in doubt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oleg

This is a requirement.

---

I take it you're saying that they must have the same SSID? Are you absolutely sure about that? Because mine now seem to be working with different SSIDs. I' ve been referring to places like: http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Sectio...le78-page4.php which says:

(Optional) Set each AP to a different SSID

WDS APs know each other by MAC address and could care less what their SSID is set to. On the other hand, wireless clients associate by SSID. Technically, each AP in a WDS network is part of the same Extended Service Set (ESS) and should therefore have the same SSID.

I'm glad you prompted me to look for that link though because I found a nice site with a description of the Broadcom commands that the Belkin uses:
http://www.devicescape.com/docs/uwp/...roadcom-wl.php

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oleg

As well as adding WDS partners to MAC list on each router or enabling anonymous (lazy) mode. You've to use web interface.

---

I thought I'd done that but apparently setting the 'Auto' option in the Belkin's web interface doesn't actually set lazymode. I'll write and ask them. Now I've got it working I'll probably try to use specific MAC addresses.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oleg

RTFM if in doubt.

---

I think I have read the manuals. The Asus manual discusses WDS on p38. The Belkin manual doesn't mention it at all as far as I can see. I've also read a fair number of web pages without finding a complete guide. That's why I asked here.

Do you have any specific references you could suggest for either the WDS or my USB problem? I admit I haven't yet had time to search here to resolve the USB issue.

Thanks, Dave

Hi together,

i have my avm fritzbox 7050 and a wlhdd or a wl500g (have to decide which one can stay ;-) ) connected via wds (fritzbox is master; asus device is client in hybrid mode!). everything is working fine. it dosn't matter to which ap i'm connected, i can always enter the internet. but if i'm connected to the ap of the fb i'm not able to enter the asus device (no ftp, smb or http!). but i'm able to enter the dbox2 i've connected by lan behind the asus device.

maybe you have an idea for a solution?

would be very nice....!

thx a lot

best regards

daniel

ps: do you know a way i can chose the ap i want connect (intel centrino wlan tool)?

I’ve spend more than 16 ours on getting my ASUS WL500GX to work with my OvisLink WL-1000UR via WDS. I searched the internet, forums, tried many configurations, but I’m stuck with some confusing observations.
Please help me.

My setup:
---------------
Internet >---wired---< ASUS WL-500GX router -.-.- wireless -.-.- Ovislink WL-1000UR >--USB---< HP LaserJet.
I want the Ovislink to act as a printer server, because it is impossible to create a wired connection to it. For setup purposes, I places all appliances just a few feet from eachother.

The ASUS router is configured as 10.0.0.140 and to do WDS and DHCP
ASUS firmware: Oleg 1.9.2.7-7b
The Ovislink router is configured as 10.0.0.141 and to do WDS. DHCP is disabled. Both have eachothers MAC address, the same WEP key and so forth.
Ovislink Firmware: v.197e4

Problem:
-------------
From Ovislink, I can’t connect to the internet.
From ASUS-connected PC’s, I can’t ping 10.0.0.141 or any connected PC on ovislink.
From Ovislink-connected PC’s, I can’t ping 10.0.0.140 or any connected PC on ASUS.

Observations:
--------------------
1. A PC connected to Ovislink DOES gets an IP address from the ASUS DHCP server.
2. Using Ethereal on a port on Ovislink, I see packets from the ASUS router. When I ping 10.0.0.141 from the ASUS router, I see the request and reply on the Ovislink. However, on a wired PC on the ASUS router I don’t see the response packet being received. I can’t determine if it was sent by the ovislink router or not.
3. When I do a continuous ping (ping –t 10.0.0.141) from the ASUS router, it is constantly timed out. However, then I do a reset on the Ovislink (take out power and put back in), ONE PING REQUEST is being answered. The next requests get timed out again.
4. The MAC address on the back of the router ends with 2d-2d but using ethereal I see 2d-2e. I’ve put both MAC addresses in the ASUS router.

What should I do next?

Hi Comunity,

@First: Radix complement for this great forum

Ask time me spelling mistakes. I am from German and my english isnt good.

But it doesnt help. I have to post here before i get crasy with my Routers :)
I try this Configuration however I get it not to run. So plaese help me with it.

Client3 and 4 by WLAN -----10m-------- WL-500gx #2---------400m-------WL-500gx #1-----10m------Client1 and 2 by WLAN


WL-500gx #1: Webserver, FTP, rrd, Wiviz, Samba, DSL connection to Inet (cable), Home Gateway, IP 192.168.10.1
WL-500gx #2: only run torrent client in future (not yet) AP Mode, IP 192.168.10.2

no DHCP Clients starts at 192.168.10
Both runnig Oleg newest Firmeware.

thats all runnig perfectly, big thanks to Oleg :)

The problem is to get WDS working.
I have try to make it like it is discribte in this Forum but it will not work. Both Router in Hybrid, mutual macs in list, no WPA or WEB, not the same Cannel, same SSID.

The best situation i can got was when i connect to the Router #2 by cable. WDS seems to function then skype was connected ( i have test it ) but no other programs goes online (like ICQ or Web). Is it a static route on Router #2 that i have to use? I didn´t know.
In this the Routers log have no entry in Station List and Wiviz did not show a connection between the Routers.

Thank you for your help

search for my name and WDS. You can use the German forum too! You will find the only available solution for 1.9.2.7 there.

Thanks a lot, it works.

I did not know wy but the 2 secounds sleep in the post-boot are to less for my. When i type wl wds (mac) when the router runs since 20 secounds then wds will work. Works for 12h.