OK, that's very strange !

Do you think that the DrayTek is a reliable router, and/or your ISP is allowing you to have several machines accessing Internet (I mean without MAC cloning)?

HiSpeed wrote

Hello Jimlad,

Try to set also the DNS Primary with 10.0.254 !

Hi Jim,

So just keep your original settings AND make a few adjustment:cool:

topology: internet-----vigor 2820 )))(((( TL-WR1043ND ))))((( laptops/Phones
notice:
vigor 2820: DHCP server should be enabled;
TL-WR1043ND :enable WDS but disable DHCPserver, AND set the LAN IP different from vigor's LAN IP !
vigor and WR1043ND should use the same static channel.

Then see if we can get it works:)

You may also like refer to this article:
http://www.tp-link.com/en/article/?faqid=227

In fact, there is one more technical knowledge we should realize (but usually neglect..). Most routers(like WR4300), transmit 4-address 802.11 frames in WDS mode. Therefore it requires the root AP(the vigor in your case) supporting (4-addr)WDS technology. ----Yes, I'm saying there is the possibility that your vigor just doesn't support WDS technology, thus the WDS connection drops after a few minutes.

HiSpeed

Do you think that the DrayTek is a reliable router, and/or your ISP is allowing you to have several machines accessing Internet (I mean without MAC cloning)?

This router has been used for 5 years networking 13 wired pcs with static IPs and providing internet to each and the Wifi is used by 3 laptops and some phones connecting on DHCP. The ISP is BT. So reliability should be fine.


Coca koala

vigor 2820: DHCP server should be enabled;
TL-WR1043ND :enable WDS but disable DHCPserver, AND set the LAN IP different from vigor's LAN IP ! Tried all that from HiSpeeds recomendations see posts above
vigor and WR1043ND should use the same static channel. Both use channel 5

You may also like refer to this article:
http://www.tp-link.com/en/article/?faqid=227

WR1043ND All setup as per the link above allready

In fact, there is one more technical knowledge we should realize (but usually neglect..). Most routers(like WR4300), transmit 4-address 802.11 frames in WDS mode. Therefore it requires the root AP(the vigor in your case) supporting (4-addr)WDS technology. ----Yes, I'm saying there is the possibility that your vigor just doesn't support WDS technology, thus the WDS connection drops after a few minutes.

Vigor fully supports WDS see link here. http://www.draytek.com/.upload/pdffiles/e34aba60571900a005c0fed38042d575.pdf

One thing I have just thought about when reading the draytek wds pdf guide above and is something I remember reading elsewhere a few weeks ago, is that WDS sometimes does not work with WPA2 only WPA security, could this be the problem?

Thanks to both of you for your continued help.

Jimlad

Hello Jimlad,

Jimlad wrote

One thing I have just thought about when reading the draytek wds pdf guide above and is something I remember reading elsewhere a few weeks ago, is that WDS sometimes does not work with WPA2 only WPA security, could this be the problem?

I don't think so because you said:

Anyway I can now connect using my phone to the SSID of the WR and it holds the connection and I can log into the routers admin page wirelessly using the phone but cannot get to web pages

I think it's not a LAN but a WAN issue.

Instead of 10.0.0.254, try to set the DNS IP of your phone with the DNS of your ISP...

I've read http://www.draytek.com/.upload/pdffiles/e34aba60571900a005c0fed38042d575.pdf
hmm....Do you also enable WDS in Vigor2820n and type in the MAC address of TL-WDR4300 ? For what I know, the rootAP needn't enable WDS or bridge back to TL-WDR4300. What's we should only do is to enable WDS in TL-WDR4300 then survey wifi1 then connects.

If it is not the case, ignore the words above. ... And hope for a new firmware to fix this issue or buy a repeater instead

Hi Speed

I have just re-set up the WR1043 using WDS to connect to the Vigor where the Vigor wifi security is set to WPA+WPA2/PSK and then the security on the WR1043 for the SSID 2 is open and

I connected using my phone with DHCP enabled and could get internet. Then I unplugged the router to move it to the place I want it installed permanently on a shelf high up in the main office so it can span 2 floors and it now will not connect again. Dam! I would not want to have the WR's security to open anyway but it is strange it worked, if only briefly?

I will try to set the DNS of my laptop to that of my ISP and see what happens. Not going to be able to do it until Monday now though. Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks

Jimlad

Hi Coca Koala

I have disabled WDS Bridge in the Vigor and now get connection unsuccessful when connecting to the SSID of the WR?

I will Try HiSpeeds suggestion on Monday then perhaps take your advice and buy a repeater.

Cheers

Jimlad

Hi Jimlad,

Could you confirm you can open the Vigor menus when your smartphone (or your laptop) is using the TP-Link wifi?

Hi Speed

I have not had chance to check the ISP's DNS setting suggestion as I have forgot to bring my Laptop to work and can't set a static IP on my phone for some reason.

As per my original settings tried earlier re-copied below;

I have configured the WR to Enable DHCP IP range 10.0.0.100-199 & Default Gateway 10.0.0.254 lease time 2880 which I assume is the max? I am unable to find a setting to set the lease on the Vigor could it be called something else?

Anyway I can now connect using my phone to the SSID of the WR and it holds the connection and I can log into the routers admin page wirelessly using the phone but cannot get to web pages, so must be missing 1 other thing??

So I can connect to the SSID of the WR, but cannot get to web pages as before, I can confirm I am able to connect to the Vigors menus.

Really strange, if I disable DHCP on the WR I can connect to the WR's SSID and can get to a web page, but then it stops working after a few mins and that is the end of it until I re-connect the WR to the Vigor by surveying again!

Cheers Jimlad

Hi Jimlad,

I did a test with my WR1043ND bridged wirelessly to my WDR4900.
On my WDR4900 the DHCP server is set from 192.168.1.101 to 109
On my WR1043ND the DHCP server is set from 192.168.1.201 to 209
My iPad was able to get a dynamic IP address from the first or the second router.
In both cases no problem to go on the web...