What is WDS? How to configure WDS?

Many Internet users are interested in what WDS is and what its advantages are. Wireless Distribution System, or WDS, is a wireless technology that is used for the following purposes:

• Increase network coverage - this is done by combining several Wi-Fi points in a common network, they function in repeater mode;
• Unifying the wired segments into a common local network.

How to expand network coverage?

So, what is WDS? Modern technology allows you to increase and expand the coverage area, amplify the signal and bypass the barriers. Most often for these purposes use access points NanoStation M2 and NanoStation M2 Loco. In the event that you use the Ubiquiti M-series device, and subscribers use equipment from other manufacturers, you must disable the AirMax option, which is located on the first tab.

To disable AirMax technology, you need to take the following steps:

• Go to the tab with the Ubiquiti logo.
• Select the AirMax field and clear the Enable check box.
• To change the settings, you must press the Change button.
• To apply the settings, click Apply.

How to configure the first access point?

To specify the required parameters for the first point, you must open the WIRELESS tab. In the Wireless Mode list, you need to find the Acces Point WDS mode. If the firmware is AirOS 5.5, choose AP-Repeater mode. Register the MAC address of the second point in the WDS Peers field. You can find out the MAC address in the settings by going to the MAIN tab.

• Access points operate in WDS-repeater mode with WEP encryption type. You can install it in the Security list.
• Register the access point name in the SSID field.
• In the Country Code menu, select the country.
• In the Channel Width list, you need to set the channel width to 20MHz, since not all client adapters support a higher width.
• In the Frequency Mhz tab, you need to set the frequency at which the access point will function. At the first and second points, this value should be the same.
• In the Security window, you must select the WDS WEP encryption profile, because other types of encryption will not work in the repeater mode.
• The password must be entered in the WPA Key field. It should consist of 10 characters.
• The settings will be saved after pressing the Apply button. To change all settings and settings, you must click the Change button.

Network Settings

WDS is configured in the NETWORK tab. Here you can set all the necessary parameters. To do this, you need to do the following:

• First you need to set the Bridge mode in the tab.
• Determine how the point will receive the settings, you can in the Bridge IP field. If the check mark is set opposite Static, then the settings must be entered manually. The DHCP option allows you to receive all the settings from the server automatically.
• To save the settings, click Apply. You can make changes with the Change button.

After the settings take effect, the server will determine for the point a new IP. Therefore, the user can not enter the network using the old unique address. To make it easier to find a new address, it is advisable to use a special utility.

Mode and type of encryption

After the user has figured out what WDS is and how to configure the first access point, you can proceed with setting up the second point. All necessary parameters are entered in the WIRELESS tab.

If an AirOS 5.5 firmware is installed, in the Wireless Mode menu you need to select the AP-Repeater mode. With AirOS 5.3 firmware, the mode should be Acces Point WDS.

The MAC address of the first point must be entered in the WDS Peers field. You can find out the address in the settings by going to the MAIN tab.

In the event that the WDS Peers fields are not active, you need to define the WEP encryption type in the Security list. Otherwise, access points will not work.

By analogy with the settings of the first access point, the second one is configured. The channel width is also set to 20MHz.

How to configure the second access point?

• In the Network Mode section, you need to select the Bridge mode.
• In the Bridge IP field, you specify how the point will receive the settings.
• When you click Apply, the settings are saved.

When all parameters are set, it is necessary to check if the points are connected to each other in repeater mode. On each of the points, go to the MAIN tab and select Stations. If everything is done correctly, the address of the connected access point is displayed in the list.

How to configure the TP-Link router ?

When a person understands what WDS is, he can easily amplify the signal in the house. For example, when the router is installed in one part of the apartment, and the other signal is very weak, you can fix the situation with an access point. It will transfer the wireless connection further, so you can access the Internet from your phone or tablet. The point will have a WDS-mode of operation "repeater" (repeater).

This configuration method is valid for almost all TP-Link router models. Slightly different external interface, the number of options and functions, as well as the quality of the connection, but all other parameters are almost identical.

To set the parameters of the router, you need to enter groups of digits, which are indicated in the documentation or on the back of the device. After entering the login and password, you must open the main tab. In the SSID line, you need to specify the network name.

Then go to the "Wireless mode" menu and activate the WDS mode. By clicking "Connection", you need to check the box in front of a certain network and select the type of encryption. To protect the network, go to the Security tab. In the PSK line, you enter a password, which should be quite complicated.

In the last column you need to enter the password, and then specify the channel number. It should be the same as the selected network. If there is a notification that the network channel does not coincide with the Wi-Fi channel, you need to change it to the correct one. After that it is necessary to reboot the device.

The WDS TP-Link router is connected via a twisted pair cable. Network card settings should be set by default. After entering all the data, the cable between the computer and the router can be turned off.