Configuring WRE54G Wireless Repeater

Using a non-default domain for the LAN

The default domain for the Linksys router is 192.168.1.x. Since this domain is the most common it has potentially caused problems with VPN connections where other people connecting are using that same domain. The client computers get confused and can longer find other computers on the LAN.

• If the WRT54GL (main wireless router, wireless access point, or WAP) is not set to the default address of 192.168.1.1, reset it.
  • Set the IP to 192.168.1.1.
  • Disable wireless security temporarily (impossible to configure WRE54G otherwise).
  • Power the WRT54GL (WAP) off/on.
• Resetting the WRE54G (repeater).
  • When configuring the repeater, make sure that it is in very close proximity to the main wireless router. (The cable that comes with the repeater to connect it to the WAP is not necessary.)
  • Power the WRE54G off & on again.
  • Reset the WRE54G to default settings by putting a pin in the reset hole. Hold it there until the link light turns red. Remove the pin.
  • Hold down the Auto Configure button for at least 10 seconds. The configuration doesn’t start until the link light flashes red and blue. It may be necessary to hold down that button twice before the configuration begins.
  • The configuration is complete when both lights turn solid blue.
  • The Auto Configuration process copies the IP, Subnet Mask, and Gateway settings from the main wireless router.
  • At the end of the process the repeater will have the default IP address 192.168.1.240.
• Log in to the WRE54G (repeater) in a browser (192.168.1.240). (The password will be set back to the default of “admin”.)
  • Change its IP to 192.168.123.240 and save.
  • The WRE54G will now be inaccessible.
• Log in to the WRT54GL (WAP) in a browser (192.168.1.1).
  • Change IP to 192.168.123.1 and save.
  • Power the router off/on.
  • Wait until WAP is powered on and WRE54G has two solid blue lights.
• Log in to the WRE54G (repeater) in a browser (192.168.123.240)
  • Make sure that the SSID on the repeater matches the SSID on the WAP.
    • If the SSID is set to something different, the repeater will be inaccessible through the web admin, and the whole setup will have to be started from the beginning.
    • If the SSID broadcast is disabled, the repeater is accessible, but it shows up as “unnamed network” when scanning for access points (with the Eye-Fi card, for example).
  • Change the admin password so it’s not the default. (Note that this is the password to access the router configuration, and not the password used by clients to access the wireless.) And Save.
  • Enable wireless security on the WRE54G (repeater).
    • The settings must match the WRT54GL (WAP) settings.
    • WPA + AES + password + key interval: 3600 seconds
  • After saving this change the WRE54G (repeater) will be temporarily inaccessible.
• Log in to the WRT54GL (WAP) and enable wireless security. Again, the settings must match exactly the settings on the repeater.
• Power the WRE54G (repeater) off/on. When it powers back on it should come back with two blue lights.

Using the default IP LAN address of 192.168.1.x

• When configuring the repeater, make sure that it is in very close proximity to the main wireless router.
• To reset the WRE54G, put a pin in the reset hole, then hold down the Auto Configure button. It may be necessary to hold down that button twice before the configuration completes.
• The Auto Configuration process copies the IP, Subnet Mask, and Gateway settings from the main wireless router.
• In a browser connect to the main wireless router. It’s necessary to use the subnet 192.168.1 since the default IP for the repeater is 192.168.1.240 and there isn’t an obvious way to change this through the wireless router.
• Disable security on the wireless router.
• Connect to the WRE54G in a browser (192.168.1.240) and change the password from the default (“admin”).
• Enable security on the WRE54G. This must be the same settings as the main router. In this case it’s WPA + AES + password.
• Enable security on the main wireless router. Again, the settings must be consistent with the repeater.
• Power off the repeater. When it powers back on it should come back with two blue lights.