Routera as a bridge

[jerzeedevil]

Hi everyone!

Is there an advantage to using a router as a bridge since routers are beefier with memory and fast processors?

 

[stevech]

Most consumer WiFi routers cannot be configured as a bridge. (A few non-mainstream ones have that ability; or some can host 3rd party firmware replacements with bridge mode).

All WiFi routers can be configured to be an Access Point (AP).

A "game adapter" is a WiFi bridge.

 

[jerzeedevil]

I thought the WNR3500L could be configured as a wifi to ethernet adapter. If so does the RAM in the 3500L lead to smoother connections or does RAM not matter in a wifi to ethernet adapter?

 

[thiggins]

Radio, antenna design and firmware have more effect on wireless performance than RAM and CPU

 

[jerzeedevil]

Do wifi/ethernet adapters contain RAM? Because the WNCE 2001 has to be reset every so often so I would think there is memory being cleared.

 

[thiggins]

Sure. Flash too

 

[bob5000]

router as bridge = great idea

My main router is a RT-N56U. I purchased a refurbished WNDR3400 V1 for $37 and put DD-WRT on it. The WNDR3400 V1 is now a 5ghz wireless bridge. The ports are used for wired media. The 2.4GHz frequency is off but has been turned on as an AP and used with a different SSID just for grins. The only downside is as an AP, SMB can easily read through the RT-N56U network from the virtual network. I have read that it would have been more secure if I had configured the 2.4 GHz radio as a repeater, rather than as an AP. I'll look into it later.

I followed instructions I found on the internet. A site called CYBERPUNX has detailed instructions on how to replace the WNDR3400 V1 firmware with DD-WRT. The DD-WRT wiki and YouTube both offer instructions on how to create a client bridge. I made no adjustments on the RT-N56U. WPA2/AES is used on the bridge. Plus, the WNDR3400 V1 is also a fully powered backup router if ever needed.

It's pretty slick and not constrained by manufacturers who sell expensive bridges that have no other uses.

 

[jerzeedevil]

Sure. Flash too

The routers I am looking at have at least 64 mb of RAM and a lot of ROM. I'm hoping I won't have to push reset every day.

 

[stevech]

I've chosen and owned routers that never need a forced reboot. Out of perhaps 8 or so home WiFi routers, maybe one had such issues.

I avoid mass-marketed highly competitive ones - they're often rushed to market. Last 5 years or so, I avoid consumer mass market WiFi all together - in preference for ones that target machine to machine (M2M) uses, such as in point of sale and unattended ATMs and the like. These just have to run 24/7 or they don't sell.