Extend 2WIRE Router's Wireless Range Using a Linksys WRT54G-TM

This article provides a step-by-step guide to extending the wireless network range of a 2WIRE DSL/cable wireless modem, using a Linksys WRT54G-TM.

The important bits

The router connected to the internet is the 2WIRE DSL modem that was provided by AT&T. It is a popular wireless modem that DSL providers give to their customers. The problem with the 2WIRE modems is their weak signal strength.

[Note: If you just want to try to boost the signal strength of your 2WIRE modem, go to the administration screen and change the. Using a web browser connected to your network, go to the Web based admin panel of the 2WIRE. I found this at http://gateway.2wire.net. You can also try the default IP address of the 2WIRE modem -- http://192.168.1.64. Under the "Wireless Settings" screen, look for the option called "Power Setting". My 2WIRE defaults to a setting of 4/10. You can increase it to see if it helps extend your wireless network range. Note that this doesn't do anything about the 2WIRE being able to receive transmissions from a weak wireless card on a faraway laptop. The power setting only applies to the transmitting (sending) power of the 2WIRE.]

The problem

The 2WIRE's wireless signal sucks. The wireless signal is extremely flaky beyond 60 feet or so. I want to extend it to the offices next door -- about 120 feet from the router, past metal shelving and one concrete wall.

The solution

Repurpose an unused Linksys WRT54G-TM router as a second access point to the wireless network. So the end result is one unified wireless network, using two access points.

You basically have to connect the 2nd router (Linksys) to the 1st router, then disable the router functionality of the 2nd router.

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Using an ethernet cable, connect the Linksys WRT54G-TM to the 2WIRE.

DO NOT use the internet/uplink port. Use a regular LAN port on both sides of the cable.

2. Using another ethernet cable, connect a computer to another LAN port on the Linksys WRT54G-TM.

3. On the connected computer, open a web browser and go to http://192.168.0.1.

That's the default IP address of the WRT54G-TM. You should see the Web based admin panel for the Linksys.

(Most Linksys router products use a default IP address of 192.168.1.1. The T-mobile branded version of the WRT54 uses 192.168.0.1.)

The username is "admin", and the default password is "admin". You can reset a WRT54 to factory defaults by pressing the reset button on the back for about 5 seconds, or until the power light starts blinking. When it's done blinking, that means the settings have been reset.

4. In the Linksys admin panel, go to Setup > Basic Setup.

You should see a setting called "DHCP Server", with the radio button "Enabled" selected. Choose the "Disabled" option.

Save settings.

5. On the same page (Setup > Basic Setup), look for the "Router IP" or "Local IP Address" setting.

It probably says 192.168.0.1 (or 192.168.1.1). Change it to an unused IP address on your network. 192.168.1.2 is probably a safe choice since many wireless routers start assigning DHCP IP addresses starting at 100 or 101.

Note that the 3rd tuple should be on the same subnet as your 2WIRE. In this particular case, we changed it from "0" to "1" to match the existing 2WIRE network. I also changed the last tuple from "1" to "2" in order to avoid future IP address conflicts w/ new Linksys routers we may add to the network.

Save your settings.

6. Still in the Linksys admin panel, go to Wireless > Basic Wireless Settings.

Set the SSID and Channel to match your existing 2WIRE wireless network config. This is the magic that creates one unified network using two wireless routers. (Note: it won't work until you also set the network security settings to match. See next step.) Be sure to save your settings.

7. Go to Wireless > Wireless Security.

If you didn't futz with the default settings on the 2WIRE, your settings here might look like the following:

• Security Mode: WEP
• WEP Encryption: 64 bits 10 hex digits
• Key 1: 1751523405 [This is the serial number of the 2WIRE, and it's used as the default WEP key. You can find this 10-digit number on the back of your 2WIRE modem near the bar codes.] 

8. That's it!

You can unplug the connected laptop now. When you scan for wireless networks, you should see your network appear with a stronger signal.