How to configure WDS function on TP-Link

Wireless Routers(green UI)

A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a system that enables the wireless interconnection of access points
in an IEEE 802.11 network. It allows a wireless network to be expanded using multiple access points without
the need for a wired backbone to link them, as is traditionally required. For more information about WDS,
please refer to Wikipedia. The instruction below is a solution for SOHO WDS connection.

In order to build a successful WDS connection between different devices, it requires that both devices usethe
same wireless MAC address format.For example,Site A uses 4-address MAC Address format in passive WDS
bridge mode,Site B also uses 4-address MAC Address format in active WDS bridge mode.
WDS may be incompatible between different products (even occasionally from the same vendor) since the
IEEE 802.11-1999 standard does not define how to construct any such implementations or how stations
interact to arrange for exchanging frames of this format.-----From Wikipedia

Note:
1.LAN IP of extended router should be different but in the same subnet of the root router;
2.The DHCP Server on extended router should be disabled;
3.WDS bridging only requires the WDS setting on either the root router or the extended router.

To setup WDS with TP-Link wireless routers, the following steps are required:

Step 1
Log into TP-Link wireless router’s management page. If you are not sure about how to do this, please
click here.

Step 2
Go to Wireless -> Wireless Settings. Check Enable WDS (Enable WDS bridging). Then the page will show
as below.

Step 3
The SSID on the top of the page is the local wireless network name of this router. You can name whatever you
like.

Step 4
Click Search/Survey. On the pop-up window, find the SSID and channel of your root AP, and hit Connect.
Step 5
The root AP’s SSID and BSSID (MAC Address) will be filled in automatically. Then please input the wireless
security settings and wireless channel to match the ones on the root AP. Click on Save.

Step 6
Go to Wireless Security page to secure the local wireless network of the router itself. The Encryption settings
here can be different with your root router.
 or

Step 7
Click DHCP-> DHCP Settings page. Choose Disable DHCP Server, and click Save button.

Step 8
Go to Network->LAN->Modify the LAN IP Address of the router-Save.
Note:It is suggested to change the router’s IP Address to be in the same network of the root network.For
example,if your root router’s IP Address is 192.168.1.254,IP Range is 192.168.1.1~192.168.1.100,while our
router’s default LAN IP Address is 192.168.0.1,we need change our router’s IP Address to be 192.168.1.X.

Step 9
Please go to System Tools-> Reboot page to reboot the unit.

Step 10
Check whether you can get internet when connect to our router’s network. If not, it is suggested to power
cycle the main root AP and our router and try the internet again.The two devices could be incompatible in
WDS bridge mode if internet still does not work after power cycling them.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to
download the manual of your product.

This Article Suits for:

TL-WR841N , TL-WR543G , TL-WR743ND
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User Application Requirement | Updated 08-29-2016 05:48:40 AM