How to: Set Tomato Firmware for Wireless Client Modes

"One reason to use your Tomato-enabled wireless router as a client is to bring wireless access to a wired peripheral. For example, suppose you have a gaming console, such as an Xbox or a networked printer, which only have a wired Ethernet connection. Using a wireless router in reverse ("client mode"), you can connect to the Xbox and/or printer, and have the freedom to place them anywhere you want (well, anywhere the router can pick up the source signal, of course).

"Another way to use a router in client mode is to extend a wireless network. For example, suppose your primary wireless router is on an upstairs floor, but your laptop can't pick up the signal when downstairs. Connecting your downstairs PC to a router in client mode may let you pull in that distant signal, especially if you outfit the router with more a powerful antenna.

"Technically, when in client mode, your router can only pass the incoming wireless signal to clients connected to one of the router's LAN ports. To re-broadcast the signal wirelessly, the router would need to be configured as a repeater—unfortunately, Tomato does not yet support repeater mode. One option is to switch to DD-WRT V24, which does support repeater mode, although it is in general not as user-friendly as Tomato. Another option is to use two wireless routers--one configured in Tomato client mode, connected by Ethernet to the second router, configured as an AP (access point)."

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