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advanced_scenarios

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advanced_scenarios [2024/11/12 03:04] – [Scenario 2: WiFi for Site-to-Site Connectivity] -spelling, condense hogwildadvanced_scenarios [2026/02/28 21:05] (current) – [Advanced Scenarios Notes] -Change Head to "Notes and Troubleshooting" hogwild
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 Wireless Client Mode can run on three types of devices:  \\   \\ Wireless Client Mode can run on three types of devices:  \\   \\
  
-  - //Single band//: These are usually low-end devices. You can connect to a remote AP, and FreshTomato \\  will get an "external" IP address on the WAN interface (wl0 most likely). The router itself and its wired clients \\ will use this as a gateway to the Internet. \\  \\  +  - SINGLE BAND: These are usually low-end devices. You can connect to a remote AP, and FreshTomato \\  will get an "external" IP address on the WAN interface (wl0 most likely). The router itself and its wired clients \\ will use this as a gateway to the Internet. \\  \\  
-  - //Dual-band//: Similar to above, but you have a secondary wireless chipset (probably "wl1"). \\ This secondary interface can be set to operate in a different mode, such AP or WPS mode. \\ Another potential scenario for dual-band devices is to have both wl0 and wl1 working in  \\ Wireless Client Mode, \\ and use the MultiWAN function to allow the router/AP to perform either load sharing \\ or active failover functions.\\  \\  +  - DUAL-BAND: Similar to above, but you have a secondary wireless chipset (probably "wl1"). \\ This secondary interface can be set to operate in a different mode, such AP or WPS mode. \\ Another potential scenario for dual-band devices is to have both wl0 and wl1 working in  \\ Wireless Client Mode, \\ and use the MultiWAN function to allow the router/AP to perform either load sharing \\ or active failover functions.\\  \\  
-  - //Tri-band//: With these models, you have the flexibility of a third WiFi chipset to to use as you like, \\ in various combinations of operational modes.+  - TRI-BAND: With these models, you have the flexibility of a third WiFi chipset to to use as you like, \\ in various combinations of operational modes.
  
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 Generally, a 2.4 GHz signal will travel further, so you should use that band to connect at longer distances. If your device is tri-band, ensure the two 5 GHz interfaces (regardless of the operating mode they're in) work on a non-overlapping frequency (channel). In this mode, your router will connect to the external WiFi and serve you an SSID. You wil connect to that SSID from within the property. Generally, a 2.4 GHz signal will travel further, so you should use that band to connect at longer distances. If your device is tri-band, ensure the two 5 GHz interfaces (regardless of the operating mode they're in) work on a non-overlapping frequency (channel). In this mode, your router will connect to the external WiFi and serve you an SSID. You wil connect to that SSID from within the property.
  
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 The Solution: The Solution:
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 However, this is not always possible. Both Wireless Ethernet Bridge and Media Bridge modes allow you to extend the LAN from one building to another. However, this is not always possible. Both Wireless Ethernet Bridge and Media Bridge modes allow you to extend the LAN from one building to another.
  
-If you have a large number of clients, and end-to-end LAN connectivity isn't a prerequisite, you might consider using Wireless Client mode. Doing so will stop broadcast packets from crossing the WiFi link, or at least reduce them to a minimum. Of course, intra-LAN communication over the single wireless link is limited in capacity, but it works well enough for low-bandwidth traffic. Setting the two wireless LANs to the same SSID username/password will allows clients to roam freely between buildings, retaining WiFi connectivity at both sites.+If you have a large number of clients, and end-to-end LAN connectivity isn't a prerequisite, you might consider using Wireless Client mode. Doing so will stop broadcast packets from crossing the WiFi link, or at least reduce them to a minimum. Of course, intra-LAN (within the LAN) communication over that one wireless link will have limited capacity, but it will work well enough for low-bandwidth traffic. Setting the two wireless LANs to the same SSID username/password will allows clients to roam freely between buildings, retaining WiFi connectivity at both sites.
  
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 The Solution: The Solution:
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-This is a Dual WAN Wireless Client mode scenario. Say, for example you have a Dual/Tri-band router and have access to two different WiFi Services (say public, street-based Wifi and a generous neighbour). You could configure wl0 as a wireless client for the public Internet and wl1 as a wireless client towards your neighbour's network. Then, if you have a Dual band model, you're left only with physical connectivity for your LAN.  However, if you had a Tri-band model, you'd still have room to create a local SSID. Remember that Dual band models always have one 2.4GHz interface and one 5GHz interface. Tri-band models always have one 2.4GHz interface and two 5GHz interfaces. Consider this carefully during your planning, as some devices are likely to be 2.4GHz only. Another option would be to add a second local device (FreshTomato or otherwise) to handle LAN WiFi.+This is a Dual WAN Wireless Client mode scenario. Say, for example you have a Dual/Tri-band router and have access to two different WiFi Services (say street-based Wifi and a generous neighbour). You could configure wl0 as a wireless client for the public Internet and wl1 as a wireless client towards your neighbour's network. Then, if you have a Dual band model, you're left only with physical connectivity for your LAN.  However, if you had a Tri-band model, you'd still have room to create a local SSID. Remember that Dual band models always have one 2.4GHz interface and one 5GHz interface. Tri-band models always have one 2.4GHz interface and two 5GHz interfaces. Consider this carefully during your planning, as some devices are likely to be 2.4GHz only. Another option would be to add a second local device (FreshTomato or otherwise) to handle LAN WiFi.
  
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-WiFi 6 is a superior technology, not currently supported by FreshTomato due to driver/kernel restrictions. If you need to cover a large area (say, with repeaters), you are advised to buy external WiFi 6 mesh equipment to handle LAN WiFi connectivity only and let FreshTomato perform all gateway (to the Internet) operations with WiFi disabled. if you will require functions like Guest WLANs or any sort of LAN separation, make certain that the WiFi 6 mesh system you select supports VLANs.+WiFi 6 is a superior technology, but is not currently supported by FreshTomato due to driver/kernel restrictions. If you need to cover a large area (say, with repeaters), it is best to get external WiFi 6 mesh equipment to handle LAN-only WiFi and let FreshTomato perform all gateway operations (to the Internet) with WiFi disabled. If you require Guest WLANs or any sort of LAN separation, ensure the WiFi 6 mesh system you select supports VLANs.
  
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-===== Advanced Scenarios Notes =====+===== Advanced Scenarios Notes and Troubleshooting =====
  
   * WDS is a relatively old protocol to establish direct wireless connectivity between APs where the usage of a physical cable isn't possible. While the use of WDS is unrecommended since 2022, WDS can still be helpful in certain, less common scenarios.    * WDS is a relatively old protocol to establish direct wireless connectivity between APs where the usage of a physical cable isn't possible. While the use of WDS is unrecommended since 2022, WDS can still be helpful in certain, less common scenarios. 
advanced_scenarios.1731380679.txt.gz · Last modified: by hogwild

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