Greetings to everyone and good day, dear friends! Today we will talk about a very interesting and pressing problem. And in particular, is it possible to use the router as a Wi-Fi adapter and how to configure it. I’ll answer right away that this is quite real. As you probably know, the main sender of radio packets is the router.
But as we know, the receiver or Wi-Fi module is only available on laptops, phones, and tablets. But what to do if you need to connect the same TV that only has a LAN port. Or a desktop computer - this is where an old secondary router can help.
The principle itself is quite simple. The router acts as a kind of repeater; it connects to the main network, and then repeats the signal both into the radio space and via cable. Secondary devices can simply be connected to the LAN port via a network cable. The only negative is that not all routers have a separate adapter mode. Sometimes you have to use a bridge or another mode. The essence itself does not change.
Our task is to first configure the router, and only then connect it to the end device. To do this, I have written a detailed article for each model that is on the market. Just select the chapter with the name of the company that published your Internet center.
Old firmware
Connection
Tp-Link
There is no “Adapter” mode here, so we will use the bridge mode.
Classic firmware
New firmware
Everything is done in the same way as on the old firmware, but the menu items may be located in other places. Therefore, I am writing more detailed instructions.
D-link
- Go to “Network” – “WAN”. Select all the checkboxes and click “Delete”. After that, click “Add”;
Netis
How to connect
Sometimes it becomes necessary to make both a distributing device, which is most often a router or an access point, and a receiving device (Wi-Fi adapter). The problem is that not all devices can perform two functions at once without additional settings. There are routers that immediately enable the “Adapter” function, and there are those that need to be configured to a repeater using WDS bridges, clients and wireless connections. This article will tell you in detail whether it is possible to use a router as a Wi-Fi adapter, how to connect a Wi-Fi adapter to a router and configure the router in adapter mode.
What problems might you encounter?
The main difficulties in setting up are related to the specifics of different router models. The first step is to understand whether the router can be used as a WiFi receiver for a computer. If this is possible, you need to determine the appropriate mode (repeater, client, WDS) and make settings taking into account the recommendations in the article. Find out whether the Internet can only be transmitted via WiFi or is it only available via wire.
After configuration, you need to check whether the equipment is connected to the adapter. To do this, go to the access point settings, go to the wireless mode section and connection statistics. There you can see the equipment that is connected to the Network. If the required device is not in the list, but it is connected to the Internet, then there is a connection to the main router.
If problems arise, you can do the following:
- restart the router and enter the settings again;
- connect the Internet directly to the PC (check if there is a problem with the connection).
If you strictly follow the instructions, you can safely use the router as a WiFi adapter, getting an additional source of Internet in your apartment or house.
Can the router receive and distribute Wi-Fi at the same time?
Many people are interested in the question: can a Wi-Fi router receive Wi-Fi signals. The answer is comforting: maybe. Modern routers quietly work as repeaters, that is, signal receivers. In general, a repeater is an independent device created specifically to expand the coverage area of a Wi-Fi wireless network. It receives, repeats and amplifies cellular and wireless internet signals. Intended most often for local use and expansion.
Not all routers are capable of operating in this mode; some of them will require setting up network parameters and working with bridges to combine Wi-Fi points into one network.
How to make a Wi-Fi adapter from a router and configure it in adapter mode
The essence of the setup is that the router turns into some kind of wireless adapter. It stops distributing wireless communications that it receives via the Internet cable, but, on the contrary, receives it and transmits it to other devices such as personal computers or laptops, Smart TV using a network cable.
When setting up the main access point, you can not touch a single parameter, except for a specific Wi-Fi channel, which will help avoid future difficulties when organizing a network associated with scanning operating frequencies in automatic mode.
After this, a router is taken, acting as a client, and configured to the main device, which distributes wireless Internet throughout the house or apartment. Then it is connected to it with a cable and wireless Internet is organized, despite the fact that at the beginning the router only has a LAN port for connecting via cable.
Wi-Fi receiver from ZyXEL router
It is recommended to start familiarizing yourself with devices from ZyXEL, since they support a large number of operating modes with different fine settings. Among these modes there is also a repeater mode. This is especially easy to do in the new NDMS V2 firmware, which has a blue web interface.
Some Keenetic models, such as Lite III, simply switch between modes using analog buttons on the devices themselves. If the router does not support this, then you need to go to the settings. This is done as follows:
- In any web browser, go to 192.168.1.1 or my.keenetic.net and get to the control panel;
- Go to the System tab and select “Mode”;
- On the page that opens, you need to change the switch to the “Adapter” position and confirm the choice;
- Reboot the device.
After this, you can connect the repeater and the main distribution device. To do this, press the WPS button on both devices simultaneously.
Important! In repeater mode, web settings will not be available until the next reboot. In addition, if the interface does not have a “Mode” tab, it recommends updating the firmware to the latest version.
Wireless network adapter mode on ASUS routers
If your goal is to use devices from ASUS, then you need to understand that they can operate in repeater mode. This is not exactly what you need, but in this mode, the company's routers can distribute the network via a cable, which means that they can become adapters without any problems.
Debugging ASUS devices is carried out according to step-by-step instructions:
- Go to the address 192.168.1.1 in your browser and enter your login information, which is standardly defined as “admin”, “admin”;
- Find the “Administration” tab and go from it to “Operation mode”;
- Check the box next to the “Work in repeater mode” option;
- Save changes and select from the list of available networks the one you want to expand;
- Specify the password for this network and connect to it;
- Save the default settings and apply all changes;
- After successful connection, examine the configured network window.
Wi-Fi receiver from TP-LINK router
One of the most popular router manufacturers, TP-LINK, also provides for the use of its devices in adapter mode, but they will require remote operation in bridge mode using WDS technology. Unfortunately, TP-LINK routers cannot work as a repeater, but via a “bridge” the network from a TP-LINK router via cable works perfectly.
Before the process itself, it is necessary to change the communication channel on the main device. This is done individually for each device, but the essence is the same: establish a free static channel for wireless communication.
After this you can go to the bridge. For this:
- In the settings of the slave device, which is also located at 192.168.1.1, change the IP address by going to the “Network” tab and selecting LAN;
- Specify a new IP by replacing its last digit with “2”;
- Apply the setting and save changes. The device will reboot automatically;
- Go to the settings at the new address and go to the Wireless tab;
- In the wireless network name field, specify the name of the second network, and in the channel field, set the same channel as in the settings of the main device;
- Allow operation in bridge mode by checking the box next to the corresponding item and selecting the desired network from the list that appears when you click the “Browse...” button;
- Opposite the desired network, click “Connect”;
- Select the security type for the created network from the drop-down menu and define a password;
- Execute saving;
- Reboot the device by unplugging it from the power supply and plugging it back in.
You can check the success of the operation by going to the settings and in the “Wireless Network” tab, opposite the WDS parameter, you will see the inscription “Started”.
D-Link router as a receiver
To use D-link models as adapters, you need to configure them to work as a wireless client. To do this you should:
- Go to the settings web interface at 192.168.0.1.;
- Go to Wi-Fi, and then to the “Client” section;
- Enable the mode by ticking and select your network in the list;
- Specify the password for your home network and apply the changes;
- Agree with the pop-up window and study its information;
- Go to Network - WAN and select all profiles, deleting them;
- Add a new one, select a dynamic IP address and the “WiFiClient” interface from the list;
- Accept the changes by clicking on “System” - “Save”;
- Reboot the device by selecting Reboot in the “System” tab.
Adapter (client) mode on Netis routers
Models from Netis also work in client mode. To configure them you need:
- Go to netis.cc;
- Go to advanced settings through the “Advanced” item and select Wireless mode - Network settings;
- In the menu, select the “Client” item and click on the “AP Scan” button;
- Select your network and set a password for it;
- Save the changes and wait for the router to reboot.
Thus, setting the router in receiver-amplifier or adapter mode for a PC and using Wi-Fi in WDS bridge mode is quite simple. The main thing is to follow all the instructions for setting up routers of different models from different manufacturers.
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Internet users often ask whether it is possible to use a WiFi router as an adapter and connect other equipment to it. The point is simple. The new device must perform an unusual function - receiving a signal and transmitting it to a PC, laptop or other device. Let's consider what the features of this process are, and whether the issue can be resolved for different types of devices - TP-Link, D-Link, Netis, Asus and ZyXEL.
Literary and Memorial Museum of N.A. Nekrasova
The State Literary and Memorial Museum-Reserve of N.A. is located. Nekrasov "Karabikha" 15 km from Yaroslavl, near the village of Krasnye Tkachi.
Once upon a time, even before the beginning of the 18th century, the village of Bogorodskoye was located on this territory, which in 1840 was taken over by the family of Prince Golitsyn. In the 40s of the 18th century, construction began on the estate, which later became the largest in the Yaroslavl province. The estate got its name - “Karabikha” - from the name of the mountain on which it stood - Karabitova.
The estate belongs to the palace type, which was used in the era of classicism. The estate complex includes 2 parks, a residential building, a pond system and outbuildings. The main house has two wings and is a two-story stone building, on the columns of which there are pediments with verandas and a belvedere.
The parks received conventional names - Upper (located next to the main house) and Lower (located behind the house). At the edge of the Lower Park there is the Gremikha water cascade, which is created by a stream flowing through parks and ponds, subsequently forming waterfalls and small ponds.
Years passed, the estate was left without owners and began to slowly fall into disrepair. And it was during this period that the Russian writer Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov acquired it. His brother did the housework, living in the Big House, and the writer chose the Eastern wing, using it as a summer cottage.
After the October Revolution, the estate was nationalized and a collective farm, sanatorium, and orphanage were located there. After the Great Patriotic War, it was nevertheless awarded the title of a monument of history and culture, and a memorial museum was opened in memory of the poet.
Every year since 1968, on the first Saturday of July, Nekrasov’s poetry festivals are held in this estate. The museum has the following exhibitions:
- Parks of the Karabikha estate - spring, summer, autumn.
- History of the Karabikha estate. ON THE. Nekrasov in "Karabikha".
- To visit Grandfather Mazai.
- Reserved corner.
- Fun games, fun games.
- Nekrasovsky places of the Yaroslavl Trans-Volga region.
The exhibitions start from the second floor. The museum-reserve is located at the address: Yaroslavl region, Krasnye Tkachi village, Shkolnaya street, 2 a.
Exhibitions and exhibits are open every day except Mondays from 10 am to 4 pm. The last Wednesday of every month is a sanitary day. The area, which includes gardens and parks, is open to visitors from May to October from 7 am to 8 pm.
From 9 am to 5 pm entry to the territory costs 50 rubles, from 5 pm to 8 pm admission is free. For orphans, large families, WWII participants, children under 16 years of age, entry to the territory is free.
Can a router be used as an adapter?
Modern routers are multifunctional devices capable of solving problems of varying complexity. One option is to receive rather than distribute the Internet. So to the question whether the router can work as a WiFi adapter, the answer is yes. But each model has its own nuances.
The function is useful if for some reason the adapter on a PC, laptop or other device does not work, and you have another router in stock. It can be used as a receiver and thereby save money on the purchase. The question is whether it is easy to set up the required mode, check its operation and cope with possible difficulties (if they arise).
Via USB to Android smartphone
You can use a special cable to transfer Internet traffic from a computer to a smartphone running Android OS. This connection has a number of advantages:
- You can quickly transfer a large amount of information from one device to another;
- The smartphone can be used as a webcam;
- You can view the internal directory of your smartphone.
But this connection also has a drawback: the user becomes tied to his computer. Connection is very simple. To do this, connect the smartphone and the computer port with a microUSB or USB cable. Next, select the desired operating mode. On your phone you need to activate the “Developer Menu” and enable “USB Debugging”. After this, connect your smartphone to your laptop via a USB cable and be sure to share Internet access on your computer.
In this case, there are usually no problems with installing drivers; they are loaded automatically. If a notification appears about attempts to connect a new device, you should check your Internet connection and then download the necessary drivers.
How to make an adapter from a WiFi router?
Note that there is no single scheme that allows you to use a router as a Wi-Fi adapter. Each individual model has its own settings and parameters.
TP-Link
TP-Link routers cannot operate in repeater mode, which creates a number of difficulties during setup. But this does not mean that they cannot be used as a receiver. To use a WiFi router instead of an adapter, start by changing the WiFi channel on your main router. Please note that the signal source will be used as a bridge, which requires appropriate configuration. In other words, it must distribute wireless Internet.
Is it possible to do this? - Quite. For this:
- Login to the distribution device and set a static channel for WiFi. Approaches may vary depending on the manufacturer. If the main router is also Tp-Link, enter the settings panel, go to the Wireless section and specify a static channel in the Channel field. It can be "one" or "six". After that, save and wait for the reboot.
- To make a new Wi-Fi router a receiver, go into its settings and change the IP address. If you use a router as an adapter, there should be no matches. Otherwise, an address conflict and malfunctions occur. To make changes, go to the Network section, and then LAN. There, find the IP Address section, which will differ from the information of the main device. For example, you can use IP 192.168.1.2. After saving, check whether the information is saved.
- Enter the Wireless section. In the Network Name field, enter the name of another network, and in the Channel column, indicate the channel set in the settings of the base router. After that, check the Enable WDS Bridging box and click Survey. Decide on the network of interest that you will use and click Connect.
- Enter the Key Type menu and select the appropriate security type from the list provided, and in the password column, enter the secret key to log in. Save your data and restart the adapter.
- Enter setup mode again and in the Status section, find the Wireless section. Near WDS Status there should be the inscription Run.
This word indicates that the device has successfully connected to the main router. From this moment on, the Wi-Fi router can be used as a receiver and transmit the Internet to other equipment. If you need IP to be distributed by the main router working as a bridge, turn off the DHCP server on the “new” router, and then save again.
Finally, set a password for the Wi-Fi network used to distribute the Internet. To do this, go to the Wireless section, then to Security, and then set a password (eight characters or more). After saving the data, you can use the adapter.
D-Link
Let's move on to consider the next question - can a D-Link Wi-Fi router be used as a Wi-Fi adapter? As in the previous case, the answer is yes. To do this, configure the router to work in client format. The system works exactly on models like DIR-615 and DIR-300, but in other devices the situation should be similar.
To use D-Link as an adapter, follow these steps:
- Connect to the device and enter settings via IP 192.168.0.1.
- Go to the WiFi client section and place the button next to Enable, and select your option in the list of networks.
- Enter your Internet password and apply the changes. When asked to change the channel, do so.
- Enter the Network section, and then Wan.
- Mark existing profiles and delete them.
- Click on the add button and select Dynamic IP.
- Go to the Interface section and click on WiFi Client, and then save the settings.
- Reboot the equipment through the System section. Make sure the client is working correctly.
From now on, you can use the router as a WiFi adapter. Further distribution can be carried out over a wireless network or wire, depending on the situation.
By the way, if your router does not distribute Wi-Fi, but there is Internet on your computer, this is a reason to check all systems for functionality. This may not be a temporary problem.
ZyXEL
In some ZyXEL models, to use the router as a receiver, you just need to turn on the Adapter mode. In particular, such a switch is provided in Keenetic Lite III. In other cases, you need to know how to make a WiFi receiver from a WiFi router. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Log in to your control panel (settings).
- Go to the System section, and then go to the Mode tab. If such a section is missing, update the software.
- Switch to the section connecting Ethernet devices to Wi-Fi, and then apply the settings.
- Click on Now to restart the router and wait for it to load.
Now you know whether it is possible to reconfigure ZyXEL, and how to do it. After switching to the new mode, you will not be able to log into the control panel via your usual IP. Another question arises, how to use a WiFi router as an adapter in connection with the main router. To do this, place two devices next to each other and press the WPS or WiFi buttons simultaneously. In this case, the power indicators should blink. Wait for the Internet light to connect and light up. If you disable and re-enable the “baked” adapter, it will again work for Wi-Fi distribution.
When asked whether up to four different devices can be connected to the adapter via a wire, the answer is yes. Moreover, the Internet starts working immediately. To return ZyXEL to its original mode, log into the main router and look at the IP address of the receiver. Next, enter the settings, go to the System section, enter the settings and select the main mode. After applying and rebooting, check if the previous settings are back.
ASUS routers are no less in demand among Internet users. Let's look at how to use such a router as a WiFi adapter and distribute the Network to other devices. The user has several options at his disposal, for example, you can enable repeater mode. The option is suitable for other tasks, but can also be used to receive the Internet.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Log in to the control panel, go to the Administration section, and then go to the operating mode.
- Select the switch next to Repeater Mode.
- Save your settings.
- Select the WiFi network you want to use.
- Enter your password and check if you are connected to the Internet.
- Leave a check mark next to the item that allows you to use the default settings.
- Apply the settings and wait for connection.
Just in case, make sure that the Internet cable is not plugged into the WAN connector of the router. It is not necessary to change the SSID, but separating data by IP will come in handy. From now on, you can use the router to receive Wi-Fi. To improve signal quality, place the adapter closer to the receiver. After restarting the repeater, check whether WiFi distribution has started. It should turn on automatically. In this case, all connected equipment will be on the same network.
Please note that you will not be able to log into the repeater router using the standard method. There are three alternative exits:
- type router.asus.com in the search bar and enter the interface where you can find the IP of your device;
- use the Discovery program to find out the address of the router operating as a repeater;
- go into the settings of the main router to which the adapter is connected, and see if the IP of the device you are interested in is in the list of clients.
Above we looked at whether ASUS can be used as an adapter. To return the router to its previous mode, log into the control panel, and then in the administration tab, select the desired mode (wireless router). All that remains is to save the data and restart the device. As a last resort, do a full reset.
Netis
Of no less interest is the question of whether the Netis Wi-Fi router can receive WiFi and distribute it to other devices. Theoretically, this is possible. All you need to do is configure the router as a client.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Enter the address netis.cc in your browser.
- Go to the wireless mode section, and then enter the Wi-Fi settings.
- In the Operating mode section, select Client.
- Click on the AP Scan line.
- Select the network you are interested in from the list and connect to it. Make sure the equipment is connected to the network.
At the final stage, set a password for the main WiFi and save the settings. Wait for the reboot, after which the router will start working immediately. In adapter mode, Netis distributes the Internet only via wire. If you need to use the router in two modes at once (wireless and wired), it is better to set the repeater mode.
Number and types of antennas
Currently, you can find routers with a number of antennas from 1 to 8. The choice of a suitable device should be based on the network connection parameters and user needs.
- A router with 2 antennas can receive and transmit signals simultaneously thanks to MIMO technology. The data transfer speed of these routers reaches 144 Mbps.
- The router has three antennas and provides data transfer speeds of up to 216 Mbps with MIMO technology.
- Devices with 4 antennas will only show their potential if the manufacturer offers 1 Gbps speed.
Router antennas are omnidirectional, but have a longer horizontal signal.
Once you know what the router does and how antennas affect its operation, you can move on to the next question.
Antenna placement is important to ensure a good connection. If you plan to send a signal to only one level or floor, it is best to keep the antennas vertical at an angle of 90°.
On the other hand, if the signal is needed on other floors, it is recommended to position the router antennas at an angle of 30°.
Before using a router, you need to know more about what can affect your connection.
Location matters most
Is using a router as a WiFi adapter effective?
Knowing how to make an adapter from a WiFi router, you can avoid additional costs and use an additional router as a WiFi receiver. This solution is the best option when the adapter built into a laptop, computer or other equipment does not work or does not perform its functions well.
This option is good when you need to expand your network and increase its coverage. It is especially relevant for large houses, where the range of one router is not enough to cover the territory. If the settings are made correctly, the new router can be used as a WiFi adapter and thereby increase the capabilities of the network. As a result, you get two Wi-Fi sources with different parameters.
Important! If you don’t want to bother with buying additional equipment, then you can simply spend more time choosing a router for your home. Moreover, there are not so many criteria that you need to keep in mind when purchasing.
In other cases, it is better to use standard methods of Internet distribution. In addition, not in all homes you can find an “unnecessary” router for use as a receiver, and the question is whether this is worth doing.