7800dxl as WiFi extender

aweegin
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:49 pm

7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by aweegin »

Hi folks,
A lightning t strike recently took out the Ethernet ports on my trusty old 7800dxl, however the WiFi still works fine.
I have bought a second 7800dxl to replace it but, can I use the original one to extend my WiFi range? Like a repeater, maybe?
If so, could it use the same log in, so it’s seemeless?
Or just point me towards a guide, please..

As the old one still works in WiFi capacity, it’s more a why not try kinda thing.. thank you.
billion_fan
Posts: 5374
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:30 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by billion_fan »

aweegin wrote: Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:18 pm Hi folks,
A lightning t strike recently took out the Ethernet ports on my trusty old 7800dxl, however the WiFi still works fine.
I have bought a second 7800dxl to replace it but, can I use the original one to extend my WiFi range? Like a repeater, maybe?
If so, could it use the same log in, so it’s seemeless?
Or just point me towards a guide, please..

As the old one still works in WiFi capacity, it’s more a why not try kinda thing.. thank you.

Below is the setup method for the 8800AXL (the web gui is the same as the 7800 series and setup method is also the same)

1. Login to the primary Bipac 8800AXL 1 (assuming this will be the internet connection device)
2. Click on 'Configuration >> Wireless 2.4ghz' and note down the 'BSSID'
3. Login to the Bipac 8800AXL 2, and do the same click on 'Configuration >> Wireless 2.4ghz' ' and note down the 'BSSID'
4. Change the IP address of the Bipac 8800AXL 2 to 192.168.1.252 under Configuration >> LAN and click on 'Apply'
5. Login to Bipac 8800AXL 2 with the new IP address 192.168.1.252, and click on 'Configuration >> LAN and set the DHCP server to 'Disable' and click on 'Apply'
6. Now on the 8800AXL 2 make sure the SSID (wireless network name) security password and wireless channel match your Bipac 8800AXL 1 (you can check the channel under 'Configuration >> Wireless 2.4ghz' >> Advanced')
7. Now on the 8800AXL 2 click on 'Configuration >> Wireless 2.4ghz' >> Wireless Bridge'
8. Enter the BSSID of the Bipac 8800AXL 1 into the Bipac 8800AXL 2 the one you noted down in step 2 in the 'Remote Bridges MAC Address' and click on 'Apply'
9. Now login to the 8800AXL 1 and click on 'Configuration >> Wireless 2.4ghz' >> Wireless Bridge' and enter the BSSID of the Bipac 8800AXL 2 into the Bipac 8800AXL 1 the one you noted down in step 3 in the 'Remote Bridges MAC Address' and click on 'Apply'
10. That should be it
aweegin
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:49 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by aweegin »

Hi, thanks for this.

For the life of me i couldn't get the 2 billions to work together! Using this as a guide, I did manage to get my old Netgear to act as a repeater, and that will do just fine. Baring in mind the old billion took a hit..it might be safer not having it plugged in all the time anyway!
The only time i really ran into issues was when i changed the router ip..soon as i changed that..it went south, each and every time. Maybe I'll have a play around another time, but, for now, its working.

EDIT: scrub that, still not working. I’ll have a tinker another time.. all I get is ‘incorrect password’. Yet they are identical..seems to struggle having 2 the same. :roll:
billion_fan
Posts: 5374
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:30 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by billion_fan »

aweegin wrote: Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:23 pm Hi, thanks for this.

For the life of me i couldn't get the 2 billions to work together! Using this as a guide, I did manage to get my old Netgear to act as a repeater, and that will do just fine. Baring in mind the old billion took a hit..it might be safer not having it plugged in all the time anyway!
The only time i really ran into issues was when i changed the router ip..soon as i changed that..it went south, each and every time. Maybe I'll have a play around another time, but, for now, its working.

EDIT: scrub that, still not working. I’ll have a tinker another time.. all I get is ‘incorrect password’. Yet they are identical..seems to struggle having 2 the same. :roll:
The other setup option will be, turn off the DHCP server on the broken 7800DXL (also change the LAN IP to eg 192.168.1.253), plug a Ethernet connection from the working 7800DXL to any of the LAN ports on the broken 7800DXL.

Restart any devices connected to the broken 7800DXL or release and renew the IP address on any connected clients (the 7800DXL should then work as a wireless hub/switch with all routing etc done by the working 7800DXL)
aweegin
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:49 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by aweegin »

Apologies on not returning to this.
The replacement router developed a fault, has now been returned.. then I totally lost internet for a few days.
Currently back on my old netgear, thinking I may buy an 8800axl instead, though out of stock on amazon at this time.
billion_fan
Posts: 5374
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:30 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by billion_fan »

aweegin wrote: Mon Sep 10, 2018 3:32 pm Apologies on not returning to this.
The replacement router developed a fault, has now been returned.. then I totally lost internet for a few days.
Currently back on my old netgear, thinking I may buy an 8800axl instead, though out of stock on amazon at this time.
I would recommend having a look at the Bipac 8900AX-1600 R2 also
aweegin
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:49 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by aweegin »

billion_fan wrote: Mon Sep 10, 2018 4:12 pm
I would recommend having a look at the Bipac 8900AX-1600 R2 also
Yeah, I’ve seen that..It’s quite pricey, even by Billion standards...how is it worth the extra £90?
billion_fan
Posts: 5374
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:30 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by billion_fan »

aweegin wrote: Mon Sep 10, 2018 6:01 pm
billion_fan wrote: Mon Sep 10, 2018 4:12 pm
I would recommend having a look at the Bipac 8900AX-1600 R2 also
Yeah, I’ve seen that..It’s quite pricey, even by Billion standards...how is it worth the extra £90?
It has a more expensive Broadcom chipset
aweegin
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:49 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by aweegin »

I’m afraid that means little to me. I went billion as they’re the only ones, as far as I know, that let me tweak snr to maximise my rural non fibre connection. 🤷🏻‍♂️
aweegin
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:49 pm

Re: 7800dxl as WiFi extender

Post by aweegin »

Picked up an 8900ax r2, just got it up and running.. firmware 2.50a.d23

set the snr, the dmz (xbox) i like billion..my old netgear hovers around 9mbps, with the snr adjusted i get around 11mbps, it all helps...then i go out of my depth. It has vpn capability? I don't really do kodi anymore but im guessing its for that kinda thing..?

leave it to settle in now..took a chance on an amazon warehouse deal.
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