wirelessly connecting verizon Actiontec router to a Linksys router

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by liveware, Apr 21, 2010.

  1. liveware

    liveware Private E-2

    My existing home network is an Actiontec M1424WR router/firewall/wirless acess point and a few computers connected via ethernet or wireless-g. I bought a used Linksys WRT54GS version 4. I'd like to extend the network out to my garage via wireless so I can connect a computer via ethernet to the Linksys. I'm trying to avoid running a 50 foot ethernet cable through my home. Here is a diagram of what I'm attempting:

    [ISP] -----(fios)-----[Actiontec M1424WR] ----(wireless g)----[Linsys WRT54GSv4]-----(ethernet)----[computer in garage]

    I want the Actiontec router to do all the DHCP/DNS/NAT and have the Linksys router to simply relay all the communications wirelessly between it and the Actiontec. I'm working my way through Networking for Dummies but this specific setup isn't expressly covered in the book or in the manuals for these devices. Any help is much appreciated.
     
  2. jconstan

    jconstan MajorGeek

    I don't think that will work with the standard software. There is a site www.dd-wrt.com that has a project to load a linux os into the Linksys box to make it a repeater. It may be worth checking out.
     
  3. liveware

    liveware Private E-2

    Thanks for the suggestion jconstan.

    After reading the better part of the dd-wrt website I installed DDR-WRT on my Linksys WRT54GS version 4 and set up a "client bridge" between the routers.

    Here are some relevant webpages:

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linking_Routers

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Bridging

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridged

    If you're following the steps on the above "Client_Bridged" page, note that there's a missing step. You have to scan for your wireless network (ssid) and join the network. This is covered briefly in the "peacock thread":

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486

    quote-
    Go to Status Wireless Site survey and scan for ssid. Hit join. Apply.
    -end quote

    Here's a link to a thread about connecting a similar Linksys router to an Actiontec M1424WR. According to the thread you can connect the routers without flashing to DD-WRT:

    http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=160008

    Here's a link for a page on how to use a (non-verizon) DD-WRT router as your primary router, and still use your Actiontec verizon router:

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Verizon_FIOS_setup_with_dd-wrt_as_primary_router
     
  4. jconstan

    jconstan MajorGeek


    I wanted to try this myself so I bought an old WRT54G V2 Linksys router from ebay, went to the DD-WRT.COM site and downloaded the software for the V2 version router and followed the instructions.

    I now have one Linksys router talking via the wireless connection to my Linksys router upstairs and can connect to each one with my wireless laptops. Pretty nice.
     

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