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Bridge modem. Creating a wireless Wi-Fi bridge

I decided to write a short note with simple explanations on the topic, what is bridge mode (bridge) and router mode (router) in the ADSL modem. I won’t write here which mode is better or worse, and it’s clear that everything depends on the task you face. I’ll try to explain with my fingers how they differ, and you can decide which is better - bridge or router🙂 The names of the modes come from the English words bridge (bridge) and router (router). That is, the phrases that the modem operates in bridge mode or in router mode will also be true.

Now about the differences. ADSL modem, which works in bridge mode, is nothing more than just an adapter between the cord from your telephone socket And power cord, which connects to the computer's network card. Since the telephone wire can be directly connected to network card is impossible, then we need something to which we connect a telephone wire to the input, and at the output we get a standard network wire. This something is ADSL modem and bridge mode, it performs only this function - an adapter. It may not sound quite familiar, but in essence it is so. The modem can't do anything in this mode. In order to initiate an Internet connection, you must be authorized by your provider and obtain network settings (external IP address). Since the modem is in bridge mode, it is just an adapter, this operation is carried out by the computer. That is, you configure it on your computer network connection with your provider, enter your login and password there and connect to the Internet as needed.

Now it's in router mode. In this mode, the ADSL modem, along with performing the function of an adapter, is already more intelligent network device. We can say that in this mode ADSL modem is small computer , which provides some services for your personal computer. Now authenticate and receive network settings is not performed by your computer, but ADSL modem. To do this, you must first enter required parameters connections, and of course the login and password that your provider gave you. The ADSL modem itself will contact the provider and establish a connection. Even if the computer is turned off, the modem will still be able to maintain a connection to the Internet. Thus, if you have modem with Wi-Fi hotspot access, then through it you can access the Internet, for example, from a communicator or laptop, without turning on the main computer. When the modem is operating in router mode, it becomes active built-in firewall modem — firewall(firewall). Your computer in this mode is a little more protected from outside world. Other functions also become available (depending on the modem), for example, built-in DHCP server.

Then you can simply speculate about the advantages of an ADSL modem in “bridge” mode and what are the advantages in “router” mode. For example, if you need an external IP address to be assigned specifically to the computer, then the modem must operate in bridge mode, and if you want to use the modem’s built-in firewall, then it (the modem) must be configured in router mode. If there Wi-Fi devices(phones, communicators, laptops, etc.) and the modem has a point Wi-Fi access, then it must also be configured in router mode.

The question on the agenda is how to set up router mode? If you are planning to create a wireless network at home, then I recommend choosing a router for this purpose, and not an access point, modem, repeater or anything else. Why? Because this device is multifunctional and replaces all these things. In this article we will look at its main operating modes and see how they are configured using the example of a model from Asus.

First of all, you need to understand the concepts. In total, the router has four main modes:

  • Access point
  • Repeater or Amplifier
  • Client, Bridge or Adapter
  • Modem

Access Point

In access point mode, or as foreigners call it “Access Point”, the router works as a device that turns cable signal in wireless. The main difference between a router in access point mode and another network device, which is actually called an “access point,” is that it not only distributes WiFi, that is, it turns it into a radio signal wired Internet, but also has functionality for distributing IP addresses and port forwarding, which is the main function of the router.

Modem mode (ADSL Modem)

In pure video, a modem is a device that is designed to work with providers that provide access to world wide web via telephone cable ADSL technologies. And for nothing else - the modem itself either works in router mode or simply cannot. But it is capable of not only receiving the Internet via a telephone cord, but also relaying it wirelessly and assign IP to other clients.

Repeater

In general, a “repeater” is wireless extender or a signal repeater extending it from the point wifi distribution over a certain distance to connect computers located in an area of ​​​​uncertain reception to the Internet. If our favorite wifi router has a repeater mode, it means it can do the same thing - extend wireless signal, thereby expanding the reception area. In addition, repeater mode is useful if you need to bypass some obstacle when creating a wireless bridge when there is no line of sight between two access points. Then we place it in line of sight from both points and transmit the signal through it.

Client, or Bridge (Client, WISP, WDS, Bridge)

A router in bridge mode has many names, but the essence comes down to one thing - it receives a wireless signal and transmits it via cable to the device connected to it. Bridge mode is convenient to use when you need something, that is, some device that does not have a built-in wireless module, for example, a TV or printer.

How to set up Asus router mode?

IN different models Setting up the router mode occurs in different ways. We will need to connect to some existing Wi-Fi, which is distributed by some other router, and distribute it in our apartment. I point to example Asus RT-N10U B in new firmware.

Go to the admin panel (http://192.168.1.1), the “Administration” item, the “Operation mode” tab (red) or immediately click on “Wireless router” at the very top of the settings page (green).

IN this moment By default, the “Wireless Router” mode is activated. You will find its settings in this article, and we will check the second one - repeater mode. And click the “Save” button.


A page will open showing all wireless network located within the reception radius of the router. We select from them the one to which we need to connect and enter the access key if it is password-protected.

Click connect. After connecting with third party router, you can make another one interesting setting: either use the data to access that existing network, which we extend. Or you can set your own - then we connect to ours with one data (SSID and password), and to the second one, into which the Internet cable is directly inserted and whose signal we are extending, with others.

Then it’s a matter of technique - we wait until all these settings are applied and you disconnect from the network. Then in the list of available wireless connections the new one that has just been created will appear. We connect to it - and forward, across the expanses of the RuNet!

WiFi router in access point mode

The Asus access point mode is that it is connected by cable to another router or modem, which in turn is connected to the provider and is already transmitting further wifi signal. It is convenient to use if your Internet works via an ADSL modem, but the router itself does not have such a built-in feature. Or if your router is not equipped wireless module and cannot distribute a signal via Wi-Fi. I think there is no point in disassembling it, since everything is described in detail in the article about the modem in router mode, the link to which I have already given above.

Asus router in bridge or client mode

The client is the one who receives something. This mode is called so because in it the router operates in reverse direction- does not broadcast a wireless signal from the connected cable, but, on the contrary, receives wifi internet from another access point and distributes it to other devices using a cable. This operating procedure is only available on some models.

The most striking example of a device operating in this vein is wifi adapter. And among routers, the Asus EA-N66 has this ability.

This mode is called “Wireless” in this model network adapter».

This type also allows you to combine two autonomous networks using a wireless “bridge”. When creating such a connection, both routers must have this mode(Bridge). Or you can make sure that one device is activated as an “access point” that broadcasts the signal, and the other as a “client” that receives it and distributes it via cables to computers on its network. From the Asus line, of which I am a fan, the modern model RT-N13U is suitable for organizing such a bridge.

In this note I have listed all the main modes WiFi router and listed their most common names. I describe in more detail about setting up each of them in separate articles on the blog. If you come across any others and you don’t know how they work, then write in the comments, we’ll figure it out together.

Router modes in video

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Let me start with the fact that the router itself, which you want to make an access point, is an access point, only more functional. It runs a DHCP server that distributes IP, most likely there is a firewall, and roughly speaking it builds routes between connected devices, which is why it is a router. So, to turn a router into an access point, you just need to disable some functions in it and connect it via cable to another router, or to a modem.

In the hotel article, I already wrote. You can read it if interested. There I promised to show in detail, using the example of different routers, the settings that need to be made to use the router as a Wi-Fi access point.

Let's use an example to find out for what purposes this mode of operation may be suitable. Let's say you have a modem or router installed on the ground floor, or at one end of the house. Which may or may not distribute Wi-Fi, it doesn’t matter. So, at the other end of the house, or on another floor, we need to install an access point to distribute Wi-Fi. In this case, the connection between the router and the access point will be via a network cable.

If we install an access point at the other end, the main router will distribute IP addresses, and the devices will be on the same network, which is often very important. Also, access point mode can be useful for Wi-Fi distribution from a modem that does not have this capability. In fact, there are many possible uses. Otherwise, access points simply would not be sold, as individual devices. Because they wouldn't make sense.

Please note that most routers can operate in other modes, which may suit you better:

  • Repeater mode– suitable if your goal is simply to expand an already existing Wi-Fi network through another router. On our website there are instructions for, as well as. After setup, there will be one Wi-Fi network, just enhanced. Internet via cable from the “repeater” will also be available.
  • WDS Wireless Bridge Mode- this is practically the same as the access point mode, but here the connection between routers is not via cable, but via Wi-Fi networks. I wrote in more detail about setting up such a connection in the article: . It is shown in detail using the example of popular routers: ASUS, TP-LINK, D-Link, Zyxel. There is also a detailed one.

Sorry that there is so much information and links already at the beginning of the article, but these issues needed to be sorted out.

As for the “access point” operating mode, also known as AP (Access Point), then on routers different manufacturers, this mode is configured in different ways. For example, on routers from ASUS and Zyxel, you just need to enable Access Point mode in the control panel, connect the devices with a network cable, and you're done. But on devices from TP-LINK, you need to manually change the router’s IP address and disable the DHCP server.

Connecting an access point to a router (modem):

Connecting both devices network cable. On the main router (modem), connect the cable to LAN port (home network), and on the router-access point also to the LAN port.

From an access point, the Internet via a network cable also works. For many this is important.

Setting up an ASUS router in access point (AP) mode

On ASUS routers As a rule, the AP operating mode is enabled in the control panel. After which, we simply connect it to the router or modem and everything is ready. On some models, for example on the old RT-N13U, modes are switched with a special switch on the device body. I will show you how to configure an access point using an example Asus router RT-N12.

We connect to the router, and at the address 192.168.1.1, go to its settings. In the settings, go to the "Administration" tab. And at the top is the "Operating Mode" tab. We put the switch next to “Access point (AP) mode”. Read the description of the mode and click “Save”.

In the next window we need to set the IP settings. You don’t have to change anything, just click “Next”. But, in this case, to determine the IP address of the access point, you will need to use special utility"Discovery". Or you can, where “Obtain IP automatically”, put no, and change the last digit. For example, on 192.168.1.2. Now, the settings will be available at this address. DNS, if necessary, can be specified as in the screenshot below. Or, leave it automatic.

In the next window, if necessary, change Wi-Fi settings network of our ASUS access point, and click “Apply”.

The router will reboot and go into AP mode. If you go to its settings, at the address that you may have specified yourself, or which can be determined using the “Discovery” utility (you can download it from the link), then you will see a stripped-down control panel. Where can I change necessary settings, or, for example, return the device to the “Wireless Router” operating mode.

After setup, connect the Access Point to the router or modem via cable (there is a diagram above), and it will distribute Wi-Fi.

Access point from Zyxel Keenetic router

If I'm not mistaken, then only the Keenetic model Lite III There is a mechanical operating mode switch on the case. In all other cases, . I immediately advise you to set up a Wi-Fi network (set the network name and password, if necessary), so that you don’t have to deal with entering the AP settings later.

To activate access point mode on Zyxel, go to the "System" tab, and open the "Mode" tab at the top. Select "Access point - extension" Wi-Fi zones with Ethernet connection" and click the "Apply" button.

Allow the router to reboot. After this, you can connect it to another router, and it will already work in “Access Point” mode.

To go into its settings, you can first go to the settings of the main router (modem), go to the list of clients, and look at the IP address of our Zyxel there. And then use it to go to the web interface. Or you can simply reset the settings, and the router will work normally normal mode"Internet center".

TP-LINK router as a Wi-Fi access point

If you have a device from TP-LINK, you will need to manually change several parameters. Since there is no operating mode switch there. Now I’ll show you step by step what and how to do. I will show it using the example of a router.

1 First, go to the one that we want to configure in the mode wireless point access. And change the IP address of the router. To do this, open the “Network” – “LAN” tab. We need to set an IP address the same as that of the main router (can be viewed on the device itself), just with a different number at the end. For example: if the IP address of the main modem (router) is 192.168.1.1, then TP-LINK settings you need to set 192.168.1.2 and save the settings. The router will reboot.

Go to settings again, but at a new address. In my case, it is 192.168.1.2.

2 Setting up a Wi-Fi network. If necessary, on the "Wireless" tab, set the Wi-Fi settings for our access point. Enter the network name and password.

3 Last step. Disable the DHCP server. To do this, go to the "DHCP" tab. Place the switch next to “Disable” and save the settings.

And reboot the router. You can do it through the control panel. "System Tools" tab - "Reboot", "Reboot" button.

We connect it to the main router (LAN - LAN), and we get a Wi-Fi access point.

Setting up Access Point on Netis routers

On my Netis router, I just changed the IP address, disabled DHCP, and everything worked. Go to settings at netis.cc.

Open the “Network” – “LAN” tab. Change the IP address. If the main router or modem has 192.168.1.1, then write 192.168.1.2. So that only the last digit would differ. We also disable the DHCP server there. And save the settings.

If necessary, go to the settings again (already at the new address that was specified), and on the "tab" Wireless mode"Set Wi-Fi settings.

We connect our Netis access point to the main device with a network cable (LAN - LAN), and everything is ready.