Configure a Linksys WAP54G In Wireless Bridge and Access Point Modes

Welcome to the System Admin tutorials by CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions. Today, I will explain the configuration of Linksys WAP54G in various modes.

Many of my regular readers know that the first Access Point I configured was WAP54G.

So, I am happy to develop a tutorial for budding System Admins to learn more about this device. Today, I will teach you two wireless modes- Access Point Client and Wireless Bridge.

This section explains the configuration of Linksys Access Point WAP54G in Wireless Bridge mode.

Let me first answer one question a client of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions asked. Chandra Shekhar, a businessman from Chennai, asked, "Hello Alex, what is a wireless bridge mode in WAP54G?"

A wireless bridge connects two Local Area Networks (LANs) using a wireless link.

Once a WAP54G is in wireless bridge mode, it communicates exclusively with another access point—the other end of the wireless bridge—and no longer connects to client devices.

Before configuring the WAP54G as a wireless bridge, you must obtain the LAN MAC address of the second access point.

You can find it on the label that contains the serial number. Anil Kumar, a regular reader of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions, asked where the label is.

Let me explain practical step-by-step instructions here. Here, we are creating a wireless bridge connection between two WAP54Gs.

1. Configure First WAP54G AP into Bridge Mode

   1. Log on to the First Access Point

      To log on to AP, connect the AP with a computer (either static IP enabled or getting valid IP in the same network range) using an Ethernet cable.

   2. Log into WAP54G Setup

      Anjali Mathew, a Degree student from Trivandrum, asked, "Hello Alex, what is the default IP address of WAP54G? Can you tell me the default username and password?"

      Type 192.168.1.245 on the browser, and enter the default user name and Password.

      Username:	No username
      Password:	admin

   3. Click on the 'AP Mode'. It is under the Setup tab.

      

   4. Select Wireless Bridge and enter the LAN MAC address of the second AP

      

      After entering the Wireless MAC address of the second Access Point, click on save settings.

2. Connect the Second WAP54G to the Wireless Bridge

   Repeat the same steps performed on the first WAP54G. The first task is to change the IP address of the second WAP54G access point to avoid conflicts with the first one.

   • D-Link Wireless Router in Bridge Mode
   • Ping Error: Destination Host Unreachable
   • Pinging Google.com: Request Timed Out

   A few readers asked my suggestion for the new IP address for the second AP. You can set it to 192.168.1.244. Then, enter the LAN MAC address of the first WAP54G.

   After completing the configuration on the second access point, verify the connection.

Occasionally, you may encounter issues setting up a wireless bridge between two WAP54Gs. If you're facing difficulties configuring the WAP54G in wireless bridge mode, refer to the troubleshooting points below.

I will start by answering one question from Maurice Verheijen. He is a marketing manager working at a leading e-commerce store.

"Hello Alex, I see an AP client mode in the WAP54G setup window. What does it mean? "

In AP client (wireless client) mode, Linksys WAP54G will act as a wireless client to another AP. It will help to receive a wireless signal from another Access Point and share the Internet connection with devices connected to a LAN port.

In other words, WAP54G will act as a wireless adapter in client mode. Let me explain how to convert a WAP54G into Access Point client mode.

1. Access the Web-Based Setup Page of the WAP54G

   To access the WAP54G setup page, connect the access point (AP) to a computer with a static IP address. The default IP address for login is 192.168.1.245. Open a web browser, type 192.168.1.245 in the address bar, and press Enter.

   It will ask you to enter the WAP54G username and password.

2. Select Client Mode for the WAP54G.

   

   After logging in, click the AP Mode option under the Setup tab. Here you can configure the WAP54G in Wireless Client Mode.

   Select AP Client Mode from the available options.

   Enter the wireless MAC address of the remote access point. If you do not know the MAC address, click the 'Site Survey' button. The MAC address will be detected and populated automatically.

   

   After entering the details, click 'Save Settings'.

Binay Bhagat, a client of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions, reported frequent wireless disconnections with WAP54G in his office. I checked the device, and the problem was due to outdated firmware.

After updating the firmware, the WAP54G worked fine without further WiFi drops.

You can download the firmware from the official Linksys site. I suggest you visit this link.