If you have a buffalo router with DD-WRT already installed then download this File. This is a downgrade from the currently installed DD-WRT firmware from Buffalo. Once you download the firmware, Extract it. I like to use WinRAR.
If you have the original NON DD-WRT Buffalo firmware then follow the instructions on their site for upgrading the firmware to the DD-WRT firmware and then follow the instructions above.
Perform the downgrade to the firmware I have provided through the link above. To do so…
- Reset your router to Defaults by going to (your routers IP… 192.168.11.1) Administration -> Factory Defaults Click Yes and then Apply Settings.
- Once your router has been reset to default, browse to 192.168.11.1 and go to Administration -> Firmware Upgrade. In the drop down menu select Reset to default settings. Click Browse and select the file that you extracted from the download. Click Upgrade.
- Your Router will be doing an Upgrade. If you unplug the router or power off the computer during the upgrade you will Brick your router! When it is done Close and reopen your browser (IE, Firefox…ETC.) Browse to 192.168.1.1 this should be the new IP Address of your router. Create a new username and password.
- Go to Setup. Change the WAN Connection Type to Disabled. Also, on the same page before saving the settings, Change DHCP Type to DHCP Forwarder. Click Apply Settings.
- Wait a few seconds. Your router is going to reboot after each time you click Apply Settings.
- Go to Wireless ->Basic Settings , at the bottom of the page click Add under Virtual interfaces. Set the Wireless mode to WDS AP, and change Wireless network name (SSID) to match the wireless network you are trying to extend. Click Apply Settings.
- Go to Status -> Wireless and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Site Survey. Click on Join next to the network you are extending. This will pop up a message and then return you back to the basic wireless setup screen. Change the Wireless mode of the Physical interface to Client Bridge and click on Apply Settings.
- Go to Wireless -> Wireless Security and put in the passkey to your existing wireless network in both the Physical and Virtual interfaces. Click Apply Settings. Verify that the passkey was accepted in both fields after the settings have been saved. If only one has security, then you need to re-enter the passkey for the one that didn’t take and Click Apply Settings again.
That should conclude setting up your router as a repeater/extender.
UPDATE 11/18/2011:
If you are extending the WIFI from another WHR-HP-G300N you can only use WEP encryption or No encryption for the connection between the router and the repeater. I haven’t run into any problems when using the WHR-HP-G300N with other routers on any encryption types.
As we all know, WEP encryption isn’t the most secure. So, if you are in the position of having to extend the WIFI from another WHR-HP-G300N, mkae sure that you use a different SSID for the connection between the router and repeater and disable SSID broadcast. and then add a new virtual interface to the router of the SSID you want to extend. This will help protect you from someone attacking your wireless network.
If you are having trouble then please register and leave a comment.
Hi, I have been having trouble with this. I have tried setting the WDS AP to have the same SSID and a different one. It just does not connect to the internet at all on the WHR-HP-G300N. All the settings are the same. I have not downgraded the firmware as if it doesn’t work then I can at least be able to return it. The firmware build I have is 17135. It has all the settings that you mentioned but still not connecting to the internet. no idea y.
I had the same problem with that build. That is why I downgraded. I tried to work with buffalo support on this issue and they were unable to find a resolution. I have used buffalo routers for this purpose for quite some time. I work with a small ISP and we use this router for our customers and when they need a repeater, this is what we do. It will work if you follow the tutorial. There is always a risk when flashing a router with new firmware, but this is the best repeater I have found.
Hey Gary! Hopefully you can helped me out..I’ve had this working years ago w/DD-WRt on a different buffalo router but it crapped out so I’m trying to set it back up.
Connecting my G300N as a repeater for my Netgear N-150.
I did downgrade to build 14896 of DD-WRT like you asked.
WEP Encryption on my Netgear N-150 with a shared key.
Only thing showing up on wifi is the SSID of the Netgear N150 with medium signal…the buffalo doesnt show up at all.
Thanks!
Hi,
Yes I have seen that before. This happens when the buffalo (repeater) hasn’t connected to the host router. When the repeater fails to connect to the host router it will not output wifi. Please try making the connection between the router and repeater unsecured (no encryption). Make sure to make this change to both the router (netgear) and repeater (G300N). Let me know if this connects for you. If so, there may be some disparity between the chipsets in the two routers causing a conflict with the encryption.
Thanks very much for this Gary. It worked right out of the gate between my D-Link DIR-655 and the G300N. After all was said and done though, I didn’t really do want I wanted lol. I’m a wireless networking nub and all I desired was Client Bridge and no to repeat my wireless signal. I’ll keep this for future reference though. I’m going to try and set up Bridge only with the same firmware as I find this one quite stable.
All you have to do to use it as a bridge is not add a new virtual interface. The buffalo still acts as a bridge. Also, you can assign the WAN port as a switch port on the main setup screen.