wireless bridge setup and intermittent connections problem

[q5ka]

I have searched high and low on this site and Goggle and I am unable to find an answer to my problem. So let me start off by describing the problem and then my setup.

 

The problem started when I purchased a Sony BluRay player. I already had a wzr-hp-g300nh as my primary wireless router so I purchased another to act as a wireless bridge running the dd-wrt. I do not have a phone connection near the TV so DSL is in another room. I do not see any need to pay $80 for a wireless dongle when I know there will be other items down the road that will also need wired conenction. So following the multitude of how tos along with step by step, I have fumbled and got the other wireless router to act as a bridge. So I will call the primary router buffalo1 and the new one acting as bridge buffalo2. So when I connect my laptop to buffalo2 (wired or wireless as I did activate the virtual interface) everything seems fine. Bit slow but seems fine. When I connect the bluray player to it, it only seems to be connected in short spurts and DHCP does not seem to work with it at all. With the bluray with a static ip and routing tables, it seems to act like it does not mind the connection but then I go to download anything (update, movie, etc) it will go a bit and then hang. Looking on buffalo1 in status, I see the bluray conenct along with the buffalo2. So I see everything connect via the mac address and there is the intermittent 1.1.1.1 address with the buffalo2 mac. I just can not seem to get the bluray connected long enough to make it useful and that was the whole reason for the purchase of the second router.

 

Now for the layout and configs:

Verizon/Frontier DSL with Westell 7500 modem

Buffalo (buffalo1) wzr-hp-g300nh connected to Westell via cable and acting as AP for network

Buffalo (buffalo2) wzr-hp-g300nh joined to buffalo1 as bridge client

 

Westell setup with wireless deactivated, dhcp is still active and part of q5ka.com domain in its config. wired connections can connect to its ip of 192.168.1.1 and manage along with access the netowork just fine.

 

Buffalo1 setup is with ap and lan ip of 192.168.1.2. It is the DNS server with static DHCP routes configured for all devices in q5ka.com except the dslrouter. It sees the dslrouter as dslrouter.q5ka.com and setup with dslrouter as gateway. Here is my backup for buffalo1:

DD-WRT?
wl_wme_sta_vi_deny
wl_plcphdr
wl_macmode
wl_phytype
wl_rateset
wl_wep_bit
wl_radauth
wl_wep_gen
wl_corerev
wl_wep_buf
ses_scriptaldnss3
log_ipaddr
ppp_passwd
zebra_coptunity
et0macaddr
ath0.2_wmm
nas_enable
fw_disable
openvpn_dh
:116 109:4 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 0:0 [35332:1566]milkfish_enabledwd_url
af_publisherip

dhcpfwd_ip
ath5_radio
ppp_get_aceilter_ip_grp26r_ip_grp3-
wl0_ifname
lan_domailter_ip_grp5.1_mode
ipsec_pass
ses_button
vlan0ports
cess-pm$DENY:1$$
ses_enable
port5vlans
wol_passwdradius_enable
dhcp_startcast
shat_rangeriohostsrc
ddns_force

dhcp_leaseable
is_default
port3vlans
ca
ath0.2_rts
radvd_conf
ath1_radio
dmz_enable
apd_enable
          ath2_closed
port1vlans:26:5E:F9:43:06 78:DD:08:BA:A1:40
wan_domain
wan_hwname_wildcard_7mask
chilli_url
ppp_demand
wl0_wme_ap_vip2p_grp2nablebledfilter_tod_buf2
rflow_portsdp_interval
ath4_radioatchdog_interval
wl0_antdiv
lan_hwaddrremotenet
_entrieskfish_openser.cfoet10_ip
wd_timeoutekey
mmc_enable
ospfd_conf35 00:26:5E:F9:43:06 78:DD:08:BA:A1:40 7C:6D:62:1C:19:5D 4C:ED:DE:26:13:4A 00:21:6A:1F:DD:8E 00:24:A5:D8:5A:8Cath0.2_r
adius_ipaddr
ddns_cachestatic_route_name

ntp_enabledev
samba_userbridged
block_javadius_port

ntp_server
ct_modules
wan_hwaddr
ath0.1_nat
ath0_radiolkfish_ddactivenum
svqos_macs      oet10_rem

usb_fs_fat
svqos_svcs
chilli_net
lan_ipaddr

ath0.1_wmm_grp2
wol_enable

log_enable
sip_domain

vlan1ports
dmz_ipaddr
ath0_maxassoc
MAIN\\Username
              wl0_wme_apsdemask
ath3_radio
ping_times
fullswitch
lan_ifnamewl0_radius_override
port4vlans

ezc_enable
wd_maclistter_web_url1
wan_ipaddr

af_country_ddaliasesnum
wd_sslport
ospfd_copt
zebra_conf
fon_enable
port2vlansoet9_comp_gtk_rekeydyndnstype
os_version

ath0.1_rtsath4_mode1_mssfix

port0vlansabledwan_get_domain
wan_ifnamer_port
af_address
oet10_comp
snmpd_conf9
pptpd_auth
wl0_hwaddr
ppp_static
dtag_vlan8
dhcpc_done
          filter_tod50_bridgeddsubscribersnumC8:DE:1B:1F=mac-mini=192.168.1.34=1440 F4:CE:46:CC:C1:BE=hp-printer=192.168.1.20=1440 00:1F:32:63:B3:27=wii=192.168.1.
10=1440 00:23:4D:B5:12:35=hp-laptop=192.168.1.31=1440 00:26:5E:F9:43:06=sony-vaio1=192.168.1.32=1440 78:DD:08:BA:A1:40
=sony-vaio2=192.168.1.33=1440 4C:ED:DE:26:13:4A=chris-laptop=192.168.1.40=1440 00:21:6A:1F:DD:8E=WPWDCK3R=192.168.1.50
=1440 00:24:A5:D8:5A:8C=buffalo2=192.168.1.3=1440 54:42:49:D6:31:09=sony-bluray=192.168.1.11=1440 wds_watchdog_enable
h0.3_netmaskerttype
usb_enable
dr_setting
openvpn_cacountp

ath2_radioage
def_hwaddr_psk

ath0.2_nat

 

 

Buffalo2 setup is client bridge with wireless with ip 192.168.1.3. It is joined to buffalo1 and the two routers appear that they are communicating back and forth. If a laptop is connected to buffalo2 via wire or wireless it appears dhcp works but the connection is very slow. Also unexpected ghost connections such as 1.1.1.1 appear on buffalo1 using mac of buffalo2. The Sony bluray will not connect with dhcp and its network does not seem to keep its connection alive. Here is the buffalo2 backup:

DD-WRT?
wl_wme_sta_vi_deny
wl_plcphdr
wl_macmode
wl_phytype
wl_rateset
wl_wep_bit
wl_radauth
wl_wep_gen
wl_corerev
wl_wep_buf
ses_script2wan_uniter_dport_grp7
log_ipaddr
ppp_passwd
zebra_copt
et0macaddrARP3_rem

nas_enable
fw_disable
ath0.1_mtu
openvpn_dh
enable
ath0.1_akm
af_publish
ath5_radio
dhcpfwd_ip
ppp_get_acwwme_sta_be
wl0_ifname
lan_domainwcommunityccepted
ses_button
ipsec_pass
ses_enable
vlan0ports

port5vlansth0_radius_ipaddr
wol_passwd
dhcp_startmilkfish_ppptime
shat_range
ddns_force
dhcp_lease
is_default

port3vlans_8021xtype
radvd_conf
dmz_enable
ath1_radio
apd_enablerect_enable2 0olsrd_lqfisheyed
port1vlans
wan_hwname
wan_domainr_mac_grp4
aper_nopriohostdst
chilli_url
ppp_demand
mtu_enablete_mgt_https_ipnamepncl_mssfix
rflow_portle
ath4_radio
lan_hwaddr
wl0_antdivnableenet
rward_entries

eth0_bridged
wd_timeout
ospfd_conf
mmc_enable
ddns_cachec_route_nameba_script

ntp_enable
samba_usercy
block_java
ct_modules
ntp_server
wan_hwaddr
ath0.1_nat
ath0_radio_httpportst_key?-----BEGIN DSA PRIVATE KEY-----
MIIBvAIBAAKBgQDoYdoguugc376RwT/VUAgU4PbDBd++LjlaRT7UY90trU490o1Z
Tbs+Wt48zNU6upcA/JKlqCk68WcqEsvq8lQPlV2b+nptuL6tERL+bxiNr7xTkQAI

rg5tbG3i9wxSvJIprr7xqpxWPCSTibFdcaCfLFaKqmThIlFnnnlVt69PrwIVALeV
b8wEiP+iAAe/P+SxFSyl0YOxAoGBAIhhqRM9Ub3UCy+5ZDOYOfIY8sFJo2fwU/1Q
fF+pSXEQHOouIluI65oJKTqW8KObdfyUbi9GCNzscvL4QzogFMZS2J4veFjLkJxR
a7NIEsGuEsKZ+NjlqnUl6WdD6HgAKL3Kg57KNWdo7zwDnjzI+uTX7lTgold5Ey6i
usSeECQpAoGANHO69i2nqXZ+cmuSIYemeodybg3V71Bwuj5N9Vsj3j4UJ7CSdCxK
uazHnQiU8RkVO3sR7c7lgvDzfr7fJuV7RhU38nD2IbG2CiWvzAS3PirZP1yaztar
2yfpmtydq+0/Us1yCQM2911bM70Dv7k6UMyAKKfry+HtLTVE+Nc1UaMCFQCHKbfp
Lb5+lT3Tr/ICCeC5ed4Xiw==
-----END DSA PRIVATE KEY-----
remote_mgt_telnet_network
s_port68.90.1tmask
             nstxd_enable
usb_fs_fat
chilli_net
svqos_svcs
lan_ipaddr

ath0.1_wmmusers
wol_enable
log_enableh_mode
sip_domain

dmz_ipaddr
vlan1ports
rc_startupd_enable
ath0.1_wending_type
srvuser
ath3_radio
ping_times
lan_ifname
fullswitch2 0
             eth1_bridged
port4vlans
ezc_enable
wd_maclist
wan_ipaddrlbw
af_country
zebra_conf
ospfd_copt
wd_sslporttk_rekey
port2vlans

os_version
en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-----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----

eth4_ipaddr
ath0.1_rtsFiDog
               oet1_mssfix
port0vlans
ath0.1_key
wan_ifnameotss_customuam
af_address
oet10_comp
pptpd_auth
snmpd_conf9
wl0_hwaddr
dtag_vlan8
ppp_static
          eth9_netmask
                      odescribersnumpaddrh0X1_security_modet6_en
usb_enable
dr_setting
openvpn_ca.0
            mdhcpd_countppp_mlppp
ath2_radio
age
def_hwaddr
          oet4_bridged

 

The Sony bluray is currently set for staticIP, wired, 192.168.1.11,255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.3 (buffalo2), primary DNS 192.168.1.2 (buffalo1) and secondary DNS is 192.168.1.1 (dslrouter). If I change any of this, the network check will fail for the bluray. Right now it says all is ok and it can get to the internet. It does but then seems to drop its connection. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated

[Jotin]

I would make sure the main router is on DDWRT and follow these steps to get the 2nd unit to act as a bridge

 

 

Root router

In Wireless->Basic Settings:

Set Wireless Mode to "WDS AP".

Change the SSID to something known, and note it.

A static Channel is also recommended, but not required.

Click Apply Settings.

In Wireless->Wireless Security:

Set the security to whatever you like.

Note the security type and passphrase.

Click Apply Settings.

WDS Station(s)

Connect the computer to the WDS Station, and set a static on the computer to 192.168.11.150.

Log into the WDS Station's interface.

In Setup->Basic Setup:

Under WAN Connection Type, set Connection Type to "Disabled".

Under Network Setup, Router IP:

Change the Local IP Address to 192.168.11.100 (or something more if using more than one WDS Station).

Change the Gateway to 192.168.11.1.

Under Network Setup, Network Address Server Settings (DHCP), change DHCP Server to "Disable".

Click Apply Settings.

Log in to the new IP address you set for Local IP Address.

Under Wireless->Basic Settings (read carefully, this is where it gets confusing):

Under Physical Interface ath0:

Set Wireless Mode to "WDS Station".

Set Wireless Network Name to the SSID used on the AP (this is the SSID that the WDS Station is connecting to as a client).

Under Virtual Interfaces, click Add.

Under Virtual Interfaces, Virtual Interfaces ath0.1 (this is the interface that client computers can connect to):

Set the Wireless Mode to "AP" (or "WDS AP" if daisy-chaining).

Set the SSID to something DIFFERENT than the previous SSID --IMPORTANT.

Click Apply Settings.

Under Wireless->Wireless Security:

Under Physical Interface ath0, set security settings to match those on the AP.

Under Virtual Interfaces ath0.1, set security settings. The security settings here may be different than previous, but most likely you'll want to set them the same.

Click Apply Settings.

Go to security and disable the SPI firewall.

Click Apply Settings. 

 

[q5ka]

I have made these changes and it seems to be the same problem. I am currently connected with my laptop to the second router and it works fine but the bluray player is still acting like its intermittent with internet. One improvement appears to be the randon 1.1.1.1 address item is no longer showing up. I think the next thing I will need to talk to is Sony to see if their product is known to have issues such as this. The problem is better but it is still odd that the laptops and others have no issue now but the bluray is still having problems and will not auto configure with DHCP. If someone has the cycles, I would recommend an update on the wiki on this. This is much easier to do compared to some of the instructions I went through.

 

Thank you for your help and if you think of anything else I can try, please :-)

[Lenny]

I have the same problem with a slightly different setup... The only thing that seems to help (but doesn't completely eliminate the issue) is to ping across the bridge.  In fact I have 2 computers on either side of the router ping each other and it seems to stabilize the wireless link.  I am still trying to find a more permanent solution.