WDS Confusion :-p

[eric.stewart]

I'd like to configure WDS with the RV220W, but w/o the admin guide I'm blind.   I see that the MAC Address I'm supposed to use for WDS is

MAC Address:

C8:4C:75:40:EF:DC

I also see that MAC address as being  associated with AP 1 (ie: the 1st AP on the RV220W) when I do a site survey from another wireless device, so I'm assuming that that AP is the only one that I can configure WDS with?

The Help page (yes Simon, I now know how to click on "Help" ) says that I need to put in a WPA passphrase.  Again from this I'm left to infer that:

1. WPA (maybe also WPA2) is the only wireless security protocol supported with WDS;
2. That this WPA passphrase has to match the WPA passphrase of the other AP's WPA passphrase.  The other AP, btw, is a Linksys WAP54GPE.

I'm guessing that the SSID of the RV220W has to be the same as the SSID of the other WDS AP?

Anyway, I'm shooting blind here and could use a bit of direction as it would be useful to test this feature, even though I'm unlikely to use it in my own home Net.

/Eric

[dseankelly]

I believe you're right @ #2 in that they have to match.  Seems like configuration referencing (a) passphrase vice a (shared or common) passphrase could be clarified (especially since it makes reference to peers below).

As for SSIDs it seems an odd requirement that they'd have to (though they could) match in order to pull this off successfully.

[ddiep]

Eric,

I'm cut-n-paste WDS section from RV120W Admin Guide. I would think RV220W manual would not change much as far as WDS concerned (remain to be seen).

Configuring a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)

A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a system that enables the wireless

interconnection of access points in a network. It allows a wireless network to be

expanded using multiple access points without the need for a wired backbone to

link them.

WDS peers are other access points in the network connected in the WDS. All

base stations in a WDS must be configured to use the same radio channel, method

of encryption (none, WEP, or WPA) and encryption keys

To configure a WDS:

STEP 1

Choose Wireless > WDS.

STEP 2

Check the Enable WDS box to enable WDS in the Cisco RV 120W.

STEP 3

Enter a WPA password for authentication.

STEP 4

Click Save.

You can manually add WDS peers that can connect to the Cisco RV 120W:

STEP 1

In the WDS Peers Table, click Add.

STEP 2

Enter the MAC (hardware) address of the WDS peer and click Save.

[ddiep]

> WPA (maybe also WPA2) is the only wireless security protocol supported with WDS;

Per AGuide, it can be WEP or None too, though I have not tried w/ none or WEP. I've tried w/ WPA.

>That this WPA passphrase has to match the WPA passphrase of the other AP's WPA passphrase.  The other AP, btw, is a Linksys WAP54GPE.

Yes. The passphrase has to match.

>I'm guessing that the SSID of the RV220W has to be the same as the SSID of the other WDS AP?

I'm not sure SSID is required here. WDS is matching and looking for MAC address of its peer. Therefore you also need to configure the WDS Peer which is the other devices (ie. WAP54GPE) MAC address and vice-versa. Also make sure the channel (see Radio Setting) also matched on both sides.

Hope it help.

[eric.stewart]

Thanks.