Self Help Guide
®
IMPORTANT!
A Guide To Wireless Bridging (WDS)
This Guide refers to the
following Products:
Please read the following carefully;
Synopsis:
The following Guide is designed to give you an
understanding of what is meant by the terms
‘Wireless Bridge’ and ‘WDS’.
This Guide will also provides a graphical overview
as to which Belkin Devices support this feature,
and then go on to explain how this feature is
activated and configured.
Requirements:
In order to complete the steps as outlined in this
Guide and set up a functioning Wireless Bridge
you will need the following equipment as a basic
minimum;
• At least 2 of the Devices listed on Page 3
• At least one PC with either LAN or WLAN working
Please Refer To Page 3
For Full List Of WDS
Capable Devices
This is the minimum required to configure and test
the Wireless Bridge to ensure that it is functioning
correctly. The amount of equipment required
thereafter is dependent on the individual Network
requirements.
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A Guide To Wireless Bridging (WDS)
A ‘Wireless Bridge’ is the name commonly given to the relationship that is formed
(wirelessly) between two ‘Infrastructure Devices such as Access Points and Routers.
The primary function of a ‘Wireless Bridge’ is to extend the range of an existing
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
Wireless Bridging is based on the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) which allows
you to make a completely wireless infrastructure. Normally, Access Points must be
hardwired to an Ethernet-based LAN. In this way the Access Points allow for a
‘wireless’ connection to be made to the ‘wired’ network.
The WDS feature allows Infrastructure Devices such as Access Points and Routers to
be ‘wirelessly’ connected to one another. This feature is normally used in large, open
areas such as warehouses where wiring might be restricted or not cost effective, and in
some larger home environments.
Wirelessly Bridging multiple Devices that have all been configured to use the same
SSID (Service Set Identifier or Wireless Network Name) will allow in effect ‘Roaming’ for
your Wireless Client Adapters. When they are out of range of one device they will
automatically connect to another stronger signal.
Wireless Bridges are a very practical, easy, and in most cases inexpensive way to
connect two different Ethernet LANs together or extend the range of existing Wireless
Networks. They are quick to set up and relatively easy to configure.
Note:
The WDS feature is not completely specified in IEEE or WiFi standards. Therefore
interoperability between 802.11 products of different Vendors is not guaranteed.
We can only recommend and advise on setting up a Wireless Bridge between the
Belkin Devices listed on the following page.
Please take care to note the Version of the Hardware as well as the Model Number as
this may change the nature of the devices compatibility with WDS.
The WPA encryption type is not supported over a Wireless Bridge and in such
instances WEP is the compatible encryption type.
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Wireless Bridging (WDS) Compatible Devices
F5D7130 v.1*
F5D7130 v.2
F5D7230 v.1*
F5D7230 v.2
F5D7230 v.4*
F5D7230 v.6
F5D7231 v.1xxx**
F5D7231 v.2xxx**
F5D7231-4P**
F5D7235**
F5D7632 v.3 &4
F5D7632 v.5 & 6
F5D7633**
F5D9630 v.3
F5D9630 v.4
• Ensure Unit is updated to latest Firmware Version available
** Ensure Unit is updated to latest Firmware Version where applicable and that 125 HSM Mode is disabled.
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Configuring Your Device To Enable Wireless Bridging
All the Devices listed on the previous page offer the option for ‘Wireless Bridge’ in the
Menu of the User Interface, under the heading ‘Wireless’. Once selected you will see a
page similar to that listed below;
Please note the restrictions outlined on this page including the need to have all your
Wireless Devices using the same Wireless Channel (1-13) and the same Encryption
Key. The only supported Encryption Type is WEP.
To enable Wireless Bridging simply tick the first two boxes shown above, ‘Enable
Wireless Bridging’ and ‘Enable Only Specific Access Points To Connect’
You will then need to manually enter details regarding the Device you wish to ‘bridge’
with.
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The Wireless Networking Device that you are wishing to ‘bridge’ with has a unique
‘WLAN MAC Address’ that needs to be located (see Product Label) and entered into the
Interface of the device being used to set up the ‘bridge’ as shown in the example below.
Please ensure that the WLAN MAC Address from the Product Label is used, and not the
LAN MAC Address which is also to be found there.
Once the WLAN MAC Address of the ‘Bridge’ Device has been entered and the new
settings applied, the ‘Wireless Bridge’ should be functioning, and a Wireless
connection should now be possible between the two devices.
The connection can be tested by either ‘Pinging’ one device from the other or by
opening the User Interface of the newly bridged Device. A Device restart may be
required.
Please note that the F5D7633 is configured in much the same way but the relevant page
of the User Interface looks somewhat different and the MAC Address is entered as
shown below;
00:11:50:12:34:56
The F5D7633 also offers an ‘Auto’ discovery option under ‘Wireless Bridge’ which will
essentially display a list of Devices on the same Wireless Channel as your main Device
that you can choose from. Their MAC Addresses will all be shown and all you have to
do is select the ones you’d like to bridge with by ticking the appropriate boxes.
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