Converting an old wireless router into an access point

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A “wireless routerWikipedia: A wireless router or Wi-Fi router is a device that performs the functions of a router and also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is used to provide access to the Internet or a priv...” is actually quite a complex device. It comprises of a routerWikipedia: A router[a] is a computer[2][3][4][5] and a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks.[6][7] Routers perform the traffic directing functions between networks and on the gl..., a network switchWikipedia: A network switch (also called switching hub, bridging hub, and, by the IEEE, MAC bridge[1]) is networking hardware that connects devices on a computer network by using packet switching to receive and ... and a Wireless Access PointWikipedia: [1][2] In computer networking, a wireless access point, or more generally just access point (AP), is a networking hardware device that allows other Wi-Fi devices to connect to a wired network or wirel.... A router is a bridge between two networks – typically the Internet and a Local Area NetworkWikipedia: A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building.[1] By contrast, a wid.... A switch (in its simplest form) connects many devices on the same network – typically a Local Area Network. A Wireless Access Point (WAP) provides a point of connectivity for wireless devices onto a network – typically a Local Area Network. A WAP can be thought of a little bit like a wireless switch in such that it connects many wireless devices on the same network.

I have a tonne of wireless routers knocking around. Most of these are Netgear WGR614 (v9) routers which I acquired whilst I was a student, forced to suffer the pain of being a Virgin MediaWikipedia: Virgin Media is a telecommunications company from England, founded in 2007, which provides telephone, television and internet services in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are at Green Park in Read... customer. There’s 2 ways to use a wireless router as an access point. The right way and the easy way. I shall cover each of these below.

Edit: For both methods you will likely want to disable DHCP on the router via its web control panel – Thanks to @Duffy177 for pointing this out.

The Easy Way

A typical wireless router is constructed in such that the routing happens between its “WANWikipedia: A wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits.[1] ” port and its switch. As such, if you just plug all of your devices into the switch ports and don’t use the “WAN” port, you have a switch and wireless access point rolled into one. It’s normally pretty easy to identify which is the “WAN” port and which are the switch ports as most routers group the ports together and some even colour the WAN port differently. The below image of the Netgear WGR614 shows this:

Netgear WGR614 (v9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Right Way

The right way is sadly not always possible as it depends if the router supports it. When you log into the web interface, look for a setting relating to using the router as an access point or assigning the WAN port to the switch. If you can enable this option, you can use all of the ports on the router as it has now stopped routing. The below image of the DD-WRT firmware config shows an example of this:

DD-WRT Assign WAN Port to Switch

 

 

 

 

That’s about it. Hopefully you can recycle some old routers and give them a new lease of life.

 

3 comments

  1. Hi there buddy.

    I’m not sure if this is actually showing me how to make my WRG614 v9 into an access point. This article is hardly an instructional of how to actually do it.

    1. It’s a generic article that intends to cover all devices.

      In your case, the device doesn’t support assigning the WAN port to the switch. As such, just connect your network (probably your router) into a LAN port (i.e. not the yellow one).

  2. Hi Phil,
    Recently, I did the same with my old 614v9 in order to extend wifi to a zone who had only a wired connection.
    Your article confirmed that was a possible option.
    In your access point configuration with the wgr614 v9 did you manage to flash DD-WRT ? This was my initial plan but found out on dd-wrt.com site that this works only for 614v8 or L versions. Any experience ?
    Thanks

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