OpenWRT WISP Repeater Mode Configuration [Range Extender]

OpenWRT WISP Repeater Mode Configuration

OpenWRT an open source router firmware to boost the performance a normal router by adding many extra useful features. WISP stands for Wireless internet service provider mode. In WISP mode router wireless work as a WAN port and wifi device work as a router. You can use OpenWRT wisp mode to share internet cable to multiple users without adding an additional wifi router.

WISP mode also can use to turn OpenWRT powered router into a wifi range extender to boost wifi signal. OpenWRT WISP repeater mode can configure with non-OpenWRT router also using the simple client mode. In WISP mode router not work as a bridge connection it works as a router so you can not access the device connected to the main router from the device connected to OpenWRT WISP mode. In this post, you will get a simple configuration step to setup the OpenWRT router as WISP repeater mode to work as a wifi booster.

WiFi Repeater Vs Range Extender?

OpenWRT WISP mode Setup with non-OpenWRT AP

Connect OpenWRT Router to PC/Laptop using LAN cable to access the OpenWRT configuration page in a web browser.
Configure your Laptop/PC Lan IP address to access OpenWRT in default mode.
Go to PC/Laptop LAN TCP/IPv4 Static IP address 192.168.1.254 to access open Wrt IP.

OpenWRT Default IP address: 192.168.1.1

Default username- root

Default password: NA

LAN IP Address Configuration in Windows and Mac PC

Open a web browser such as Google Chrome, Firefox, and access OpenWRT default IP http://192.168.1.1.

Press the Login button to access the settings page.

192.168.0.1 Default admin username and password

Change OpenWRT Default IP Address

As most of the router comes with a default IP Address http://192.168.l.l so before setup OpenWRT router it is highly recommended to change LAN IP.

To change LAN IP Go to Network- Interfaces

Find the LAN interface (Green color).

Press the Edit button to enter network settings.

Protocol: Static Address

IP Address: change this IP address to a new IP address and press the Save & Apply button.

Access OpenWRT by changing new IP address again and follow the steps to configure as a WISP repeater.

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OpenWRT Configuration as WISP Repeater Mode

Now go to Network-Wireless

Press on the Scan button to search wifi network running nearby.

Wait to load all wifi names in the scan list.

See the SSID name of your host wiFi router on the list.

Press the Join network button to connect from OpenWRT.

Keep ready your Main WiFi password to allow OpenWRT device connection.

WPA Passphrase: type your main wifi password.

Press the submit button to proceed next steps.

In the next steps device will auto-select wireless mode to the client and Mac Address of the host router.

Press the Save & Apply button to confirm settings and wait.

The router will take a few seconds to save settings and revert back to the wireless page.

On the wireless page, you can check WISP WISP-connected status signal quality with the main Wi-Fi router.

Make sure your WISP router getting at least 50% of the signal from the host router.

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Setup WISP Repeater WiFI name and Password

Once the router is connected to the host WiFi router using WISP mode create the wifi name and password for repeater signals.

To add the range extender wiFi name go to Network- Wireless

Find the Mode: Master in the interface list.

Press the Edit button to change the default WiFi SSID and set Key.

See the interface configuration settings on the page.

1: General setup:

ESSID: type the WiFi name for Repeater signals to use repeater’s existing wifi network.

2: Wireless Security: Press on the tab and set the WiFi security for the extended network name.

3: Press the Save and Apply button to confirm settings.

Once all settings are saved go to Mobile WiFi and connect the Repeater name to confirm internetworking.

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OpenWRT WISP Router Placement

The placement of the repeater device depends on the extended signal and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Always find a place where the WISP device can get at least a 50% WiFi signal from the main wireless router.

Follow the WiFi Repeater Placement guide to get the proper signal and connectivity of the WiFi router.