Got my Linksys WRT54GL working as a Client Bridge using dd-wrt: Client Bridged – DD-WRT Wiki
Posted by jpluimers on 2011/04/08
My primary wireless router is at the ground floor.
They made a small error when building our house some 15 years ago: all the spare PVC pipes running up stairs that were meant for additional cabling are full of concrete, so no way to get any network cabling upstairs.
I don’t need a lot of band width upstairs, but some of the devices are wired.
Solution:
- dig up my old Linksys WRT54GL router with hardware version 1.1
- ditch the Linskys firmware from my good old
- install dd-wrt mini as described on the dd-wrt Linksys WRT54GL pageI installed build 13064, the currently recommended build in the router database.
- run the steps in the Client Bridged – DD-WRT Wiki article (this YouTube video was also instructive, but the steps are better)
- connect a wired appliance
In fact, I had to make one change: the primary network is on 192.168.0.X, so the Linksys dd-wrt router is now on 192.168.0.50 (which is outside of the DHCP range of the primary router).
And I took a shortcut: I joined the WLAN of the primary router (on the site survey page) instead of entering all the WLAN info manually.
It works, and took me less than 15 minutes total.
I could have gone one step less (Client only, which puts your LAN behind a NAT) or one step further: configure it into a Repeater Bridge (instead of a Client Bridge).
That would allow WLAN clients to my WRT54GL as well as LAN clients.
Right now I don’t need that.
Another option is Repeater Mode (where the WLAN and LAN clients of the WRT54GL are on a different subnet than the primary router).
Finally, if you run into trouble, read this thread on the dd-wrt forum on Broadcom based devices it contains a truckload of info in a very concise way.
–jeroen
via: Client Bridged – DD-WRT Wiki.
The Wiert Corner - irregular stream of stuff 
cmavr8 said
The 13064 build has wireless issues.
The router database is outdated and misleading.
If you read their forums you’ll see that everyone suggest against using this build.
There is a sticky thread stating which is the most stable build at the time.
jpluimers said
Thanks for the tips.
Do you have an URL for that sticky thread?
–jeroen
cmavr8 said
Yes! Here’e the thread about the build version: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=52043
And here’s the discussion board, with the four must-read threads containing lots of info about correct flashing etc… http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=d8ea781f9ca61eaf5d97c12436fb1078
I’m still trying to troubleshoot problems in one of my setups :D
Cheers
jpluimers said
Thanks again!
Chris Mavrakis said
The 13064 build has wireless issues.
The router database is outdated and misleading.
If you read their forums you’ll see that everyone suggest against using this build.
There is a sticky thread stating which is the most stable build at the time.