RCA TM580 manual Extending the Range of Your Wireless Network

Chapter 2

Local Network Setup

2.3.5 Extending the Range of Your Wireless Network

WDS The SpeedTouch™ features Wireless Distribution System (WDS) functionality. This feature allows you to extend the range of your wireless network by introducing one or more WDS-enabled devices into your wireless network.

The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) enables data packets to pass from one wireless access point to another, just as if the access points were ports on a wired Ethernet switch. WDS allows you to extend the range of your SpeedTouch™ by means of one or more wireless repeaters, like for instance a SpeedTouch™180. The following illustration depicts two WDS-enabled devices communicating via WDS:

WDS Link

SpeedTouch™180 SpeedTouch™585

The SpeedTouch™ allows you to add up to four wireless repeaters.

Repeaters extend the coverage area of your wireless LAN, however bear in mind that throughput is reduced for wireless clients that are connected through a repeater.

Preconditions Check on following:

Your wireless repeater must be WDS enabled.

Both your SpeedTouch™ and your wireless repeater must use:

The same WEP key if WEP is enabled.

!WPA encryption is not supported when using WDS.

The same fixed channel.

The SpeedTouch™ and your wireless repeater do not necessarily need to use the same SSID. Using different SSIDs allows you to force your wireless clients to use either the access point of the SpeedTouch™ or the one of your wireless repeater.

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