How to Convert a Second Router into a Wireless Bridge

If you are planning to expand your wireless home network and want it all wire-free and no cabling cluttering up your home, you may be able to turn a second wireless router into a Bridge; even an old router would do by using a DD-WRT free firmware.
Do not attempt to make a Client Bridge with DD-WRT SP1 as it will not work.Please see the following link for Supported Routers: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices
If your router is not supported please do not install DD-WRT as it could render your router unusable.
Download DD-WRT here: Router Database | www.dd-wrt.com. Make sure to download the .bin file.In this Tutorial, we will use a Linksys Router; the router setting will be different than for other Routers (D-Link, Netgear, Belkin, etc) but with some similarities. On the Wireless Access Point (WAP) please reserve an IP Address for the second router to avoid IP Address conflicts; I suggest 192.168.1.2. This is done by entering the IP address of the router into the address bar of a web browser 192.168.1.1.1. To begin, turn off all these devices, start with the WAP, second router to be converted as Wireless Bridge and computer.2. Connect a computer to the second router by using a patch network cable. Make sure that the network cable is plugged into one of the LAN ports (usually 4 ports).
3. Power up the second router and wait for the lights to stabilize then power up the computer.
4. Follow the guide in your router’s manual to log into the router’s configuration. Make sure that you know the User Name and Password of the router. This is done by entering the IP address of the router into the address bar of a web browser. For example, the Linksys Router’s IP is http://192.168.1.1.
5. Reset the second router by using a paperclip and insert it into the small hole in the back of the router for about 10 to 20 seconds. Wait until all lights light up to indicate that the router has reset. This clears any settings and restores it to the factory default setting.
6. Install DD-WRT onto the second router by following the guide: Installation – DD-WRT Wiki
Note: Be cautious on installing the DD-WRT as you might “brick” the router. Please make sure that you read the Installation instructions very carefully.
7. Go to the firmware update page and upload the firmware.
8. Navigate to the second router’s IP Address using your browser if not automatically directed after the firmware upgrade.
9. Setup a username and password for access to the DD-WRT Control Panel before you log in and then try to log on again.
10. Locate the Wireless Tab and change the Wireless Mode to Client Bridge. Set the SSID to match the SSID of your WAP and click Save.

11. On the Wireless Security tab, match the security settings (WEP/WAP/WPA2) of your WAP router, then click Save.

12. Find the page to setup the Static IP and ensure that the DHCP server is set to Disabled.

Router IP: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.2
Static DNS 1: 192.168.1.1
Click Save.

13. On the Security tab check that the Firewall is set to disabled.
14. Under Setup check that the WAN interface is set to disabled.
15. Under Advanced routing or administration, check that routing is enabled.
16. Power up the WAP and wait for the lights to stabilize.
17. You may now click apply on all of the new settings that have been modified then reboot the router for the changes to take effect. This second router can now act as a Wireless Bridge on your network.
18. Navigate to the WAP’s Router IP Address via a browser and under status go to connected clients. Your second router Mac Address should be displayed here and authorized should be read as Yes.
19. Navigate to the second router (DD-WRT) through an IP Address via a browser but read and setup the connection first using Important Notes at the bottom of this page and go to the status page and then go to the Wireless tab. Scroll down to access points and your WAP router should be listed there.
How to Connect your Computer to the Wireless Bridge:
In Windows XP -Click on Start>Control Panel>Network Connections
In Windows 7 or Vista – Click on Start>Control Panel>Network and Sharing Centre>Change adapter settings
Right click Wireless Network Connection and select properties. Enter the admin credentials if prompted. Scroll down to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCPIPv4), go into Advanced and under Default Gateway add 192.168.1.2 click OK and OK again.
On the computers using the Wireless Bridge open a command prompt:
Click on Start, in run (XP) or search box (7/Vista) type cmd, press enter.
Type ipconfig /release and press Enter, then type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
Now, type ipconfig /all and press Enter and you should now see the second routers IP as the first default gateway then your WAP as the second gateway.
You will see an unidentified network with internet access when you hover over the wireless icon in the taskbar; this is the Wireless Bridge between the two routers and will be listed as a public network in Network and sharing centre.
Please remember: This is for Wireless Internet Connectivity only.
Important notes: If you wish to connect to the DD-WRT Control Panel on the second router you will need to connect a patch network cable to one of the LAN Ports on the second router and the other end to one of your computers and navigate as follows:
In Windows XP – Click on Start>Control Panel>Network Connections.
In Windows 7 or Vista – Click on Start>Control Panel>Network and Sharing Centre>Change adapter settings.
Right click Local Area Connection and select properties. Enter credentials if prompted to do so and scroll down to Internet Protocol Version (TCPIPv4) then click the properties button. Manually assign the following information:
IP address: 192.168.1.50
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.2
DNS server addresses: 192.168.1.1
Click OK and OK again.