Use OpenWrt with ethernet port only for internet connection

redbullcat · January 9, 2024, 6:35pm

Hello!

So, I'm very new to this, so please forgive my lack of knowledge, incorrect terminology, etc. Please be gentle!

I have an TP-Link RE200 V1. What I want to do is use it solely to connect my non-wireless access PC to the internet, via the PC's ethernet port. I don't want extended WiFi networks or anything like that - just internet access via the ethernet port. The stock RE200 V1 firmware wasn't able to do this and I was pointed in the direction of OpenWrt, as I was told it could do this.

I've installed OpenWrt and it's all working etc. But I can't figure out how to achieve what I want to achieve. Could anyone help me out? So far I've connected the RE200 V1 to my existing WiFi network - as far as I can tell it's picking up the network on the wireless tab in the OpenWrt web interface. But I can't figure out the next step - to allow the PC to access the internet. I've tried following the guides but I couldn't seem to make sense of them.

Additionally, Windows seems to be picking up the connection - it's gone from no connection at all to 'Network 3 no internet'. So something seems to have worked, I just can't seem to make that final step.

Is anyone able to help me? Thank you very much.

frollic · January 9, 2024, 6:38pm

network -> wireless -> scan -> join

put the new connection in the wan firewall zone, make sure your WAN subnet isn't the same as your LAN subnet.

redbullcat · January 9, 2024, 6:51pm

Hi. Thank you!

I think you're going to have to break this down for me a bit. Sorry!

So, I've pressed scan on the radio for one of the frequencies (2.4ghz or 5ghz). I join the network (again, two frequencies - joining the one which seems to be the strongest). I've put the existing WiFi password in the WPA passphrase field. I've left 'Lock to BSSID' unticked. And I've not touched 'Name of the new network', which currently has 'wwan' in it. I've also not ticked the 'Replace wireless configuration' checkbox.

Then in Create / Assign fiirewall zone. What do I do here? It has 'unspecified', 'lan' (in green), 'wan' (in red, with 'wwan: empty' next to the name) , then a custom field.

Sorry for needing to be spoon fed this. Thanks

lleachii · January 9, 2024, 7:10pm

You place in wan as @frollic noted:

redbullcat · January 9, 2024, 7:23pm

Hi. Okay, thanks. Wan is red with 'empty' next to it. Is that a problem?

I then come to the device configuration and interface configuration sections. Again sorry to need spoon feeding - but what do I fill in for these sections?

Device configuration looks fairly self explanatory. Status says Wireless is not associated. The wireless network is enabled. Operating frequency: mode is AC, Channel is 36 (5180 MHz) and Width is 80 MHz.

Interface configuration: mode is client, ESSID is my regular WiFi network name, BSSID is empty, and Network is wwan, with an option for lan or custom in the drop down.

I'm guessing I need to fiddle with the Network field especially. Do I put wan in here too?

Thanks for the help so far. I really appreciate it!

lleachii · January 9, 2024, 7:29pm

You'll need to provide detail if you need detailed assistance.

From your description, it seems you connected to your upstream AP and set it as interface WWAN in Firewall zone WAN.

I now assume you wish to setup an AP on your RS200 - but you're staring at the WWAN setup you just made to the upstream AP. Is that correct?

It's unclear what you're attempting to setup now.

You can post screenshots if it helps.

redbullcat · January 9, 2024, 9:05pm

Thanks. I'll have a play around with this in a bit and get back to you. It's all very new to me, sorry for providing confusing info!

redbullcat · January 9, 2024, 10:10pm

Okay so I'm struggling to work this out. Hoping you fine folk can figure out what I'm asking for (my fault for not using/knowing the correct terminology!). Have got screenshots which I'm hoping will help explain.

So, what I want to do: use my RE200 extender, with OpenWrt already installed and working, to connect my desktop PC, which has no wireless access, to the internet via the PC's ethernet port and the RE200's ethernet port. I'm hoping I can connect to my existing wireless network on the RE200 and then connect the PC to it via the ethernet ports on both devices. Hopefully that's clear enough for you - please let me know if not.

Here is the interfaces screenshot. Prior to joining a network on the Network/Wireless tab, it only has a lan entry in it.

If I go to the Network/Wireless tab after this, this is what it looks like.

I then press scan on one of the two radios. I join the my existing wireless network (yes, it's called Network Not Found - my wife doesn't think I'm hilarious. The router outputs a dual band 2.4ghz/5ghz network) and it brings up this screen.

Once I've pressed submit there, it takes me to the configuration screen.

If I press submit there and then save and apply the changes, I'm presented with this.

And the interfaces screen now has a new entry.

So, based on that - what do I need to do? What am I doing wrong?

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

frollic · January 9, 2024, 10:18pm

Off to bed, but try temp setting the existing wifi name to something without spaces.

redbullcat · January 9, 2024, 10:21pm

Oooh. Okay. I'll give this a go quickly before I also head off to bed. Thanks, I didn't know that could cause issues.

EDIT: this didn't seem to make any difference unfortunately.

slh · January 10, 2024, 3:43am

What you are looking for, is essentially exactly the same as a 'normal repeater' with OpenWrt, except that you don't configure it to actually repeat the wireless signal (as in not configuring AP interfaces, so ideally WDS/4addr or less ideally relayd.

redbullcat · January 10, 2024, 10:22am

That sounds about right! Sorry if my explanation made it more complicated than it needed to be.