N300 cant use router in AP mode as a network source
We added a shed behind the house. I bought a tp-link N300 2.4ghz CPE 210 antenna and installed it in the shed pointed back to the house.
(there is no companion N300 at the house. I am connecting to my wifi router)
I set the unit up in bridged mode and it worked. The speed wasnt great because the wifi wasnt the strongest from the router.
Across the house, I have a second router running in AP mode (Netgear Nighthawk). The wifi from that AP is stronger so I reconfigured the N300 to join that network.
It could get to the AP, and login.. but no devices connecting to the WIFI of the N300 would get an IP from DNS.
I spent hours checking / double checking and changing things trying to figure out how to connect to the stronger AP signal for the relay.
I tested everything.. changing security methods, even turning security off. But it just wouldnt work.. Devices would connect tp the N300 wireless.. but timeout waiting on an IP from DNS.
If I changed back to connect to the original router, it would work.
I connected to the blackhawk router to see if there is some kind of adjustment I could make..
I decided to turn on the guest wifi network.. ( I have never used the guest wifi networks anywhere in my house)..
Shockingly.. the N300 is able to connect to the guest network and serve connected devices.. Why would this be? Does anyone have any ideas on this?
I am so puzzled why the standard broadcast wifi signal wouldn't work.. and even more confused as to why it would work with the guest network. Crazy..
I guess I can leave the guest network running.. its not hurting anything... I enabled security on it. Its working beaurifully.
If anyone has any information on what could be the issue I would be very grateful.
Here is some info on the device status page:
Device Information
Device Name: CPE210
Device Model: CPE210 v2.0
Firmware Version: 2.2.3 Build 20201110 Rel. 66916 (5553)
CPU: 2%
Memory: 65%
Wireless Settings
MAXtream: N/A
Channel/Frequency: 10 / 2457MHz
Channel Width: 20/40MHz
IEEE802.11 Mode: B/G/N Mixed
Max TX Rate: 300.0Mbps
Transmit Power: 27dBm
Distance: 0km
Radio Status
AP: Enable
SSID: TP-Link_Outdoor_D220F4
Security Mode: WPA-PSK
Connected Stations: 4
Client: Enable
Security Mode: WPA-PSK
WDS: Auto
Root AP SSID: NETGEAR2
TX Rate: 144.4Mbps
RX Rate: 130.0Mbps
Wireless Signal Quality
Signal Strength (Horizontal/Vertical): -64/-65 dBm
Noise Strength: -106dBm
SNR: 45dB
Transmit CCQ: 100
LAN
IP Address: 192.168.0.180
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Port0: 10Mbps - FD
IPv6 IP Address/Prefix: N/A
WAN
Connection Type: N/A
MAC Address: N/A
IP Address: N/A
Subnet Mask: N/A
Default Gateway: N/A
DNS Server: N/A
IPv6 IP Address/Prefix: N/A
IPv6 Gateway: N/A
IPv6 DNS: N/A