10. Stars and Loops
There are other two ways that multiple WDS APs can be configured. Figure 10 shows a Star configuration, in which one AP maintains a WDS link to each of four remote APs, with each remote having a single reciprocal link back to the "root" (LAN connected) AP.
Figure 10: WDS star
This configuration would be preferable to the chain used in Example 2 because it allows expanded area coverage with only one hop for each repeater. Its main weakness is that all the "remote" APs depend on the "root" AP (AP # 1) for their connection to the LAN. Of course, you need only three APs for a minimum star configuration.
Figure 11: WDS loop
Finally, Figure 11 shows a WDS loop in which each AP has a WDS link to two others. Though this configuration still has a single point of failure, it is somewhat more robust. If any AP other than #1 fails, the others still have a path back to the wired LAN.
You should not use this configuration unless you are sure that all the APs used support spanning tree algorithms and protocol. If spanning tree is not supported, you will get performance breakdowns due to broadcast storms.
Conclusion
WDS is helping to improve interoperability of wireless bridging and repeating, but it's still not as easy as it should be. I hope this How To has given you a better understanding for how WDS works and how to get it working for you. May all your WDS links be trouble-free!
Very good article. I am having some problems of my own with a pair of Sitecomm Wireless routers (WL-312 and WL-610).
I am going to reset them both back to factory defaults and start again using this guide.
i used a thomson tg585 and a netfaste iad2. WDS "worked" but: many packet loss while pinging and speed is below 10KB/S ! ...
Thank you!
Great article that answered my questions.
Thanks for the well organized and comprehensive explanation about WDS.
I like this kind of writing so much.
(JSuparman-Jakarta)
I simply love you, that's all I have to say.
I've been wrecking my brains around WDS repeater (1st example) all day. And then I came across your article, and everything became clear. And everything worked on the 1st friggin' try!
I managed to get my routers working like the 1st scheme (1 main router, one repeater) from 2 different vendors, and not only that, one of the routers is seriously old.
So many many thanks!
(In case anyone is wondering, main router = relatively new TL-WR1043ND + repeater router = the ancient 3COM OfficeConnect Wireless 11g Cable/DSL Router. Upgrades both firmwares before attempting)