TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?

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TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?

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TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?
TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?
2023-02-22 20:47:15
Tags: #Multi-SSID Mode #client mode
Model: TL-WA901N  
Hardware Version: V6
Firmware Version: 200703

I'm trying to understand how client mode works on the TL-WA901N. If my existing wifi network uses 192.168.1.x with a gateway (and DHCP server) of 192.168.1.1, then how do I configure the LAN settings on the WA901N? It defaults to "Smart IP (DHCP)" which uses 192.168.0.254 for the LAN address and its own DHCP pool in the 192.168.0.x subnet. So are those 192.168.0.x IPs getting NAT'd to a 192.168.1.x IP? If so, what is the NAT IP?

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Re:TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?
2023-02-23 14:56:54 - last edited 2023-02-23 15:08:01

  @mag703 

 

APs don't do NAT - it's a routers job to do NAT. In client mode TL-WA901N serves as a "wireless adapter" to a client device with only ethernet cable connectivity.

If you have a main router with DHCP server enabled you should disable TL-WA901N's DHCP server and choose SmartIP(DHCP) or Static IP address, depending on you preference:

 

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The idea is your client device to have an IP address in your main router's subnet for successful communication:

 

"Client Mode - This device will act as a wireless station to enable wired host(s) to access AP.

  • Survey - Click this button, you can search the AP which runs in the current channel.
  • Enable WDS - The AP client can connect to AP with WDS enabled or disabled. If WDS is enabled, all traffic from wired networks will be forwarded in the format of WDS frames consisting of four address fields. If WDS is disabled, three address frames are used. If your AP supports WDS well, please enable this option.
  • Wireless Name of Root AP - Enter the SSID of AP that you want to access.
  • MAC Address of Root AP - Enter the MAC address of AP that you want to access. When you use the survey function to fulfill the Wireless Name of Root AP, this field will be filled in automatically."

 

Here's a guide on how to configure TL-WA901N in Client Mode.

If this was helpful click once on the arrow pointing upward. If this solves your issue, click once the star to mark it as a "Recommended Solution".
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Re:TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?
2023-02-25 17:50:18

  @terziyski 

 

Thanks for your response. What you describe is exactly how I would have thought it should work - basically the TL-WA901N bridges the wired and wireless networks.

 

However, when you select "Smart IP (DHCP)" the TL-WA901N automatically enables its own DHCP server and doesn't allow you to change the DHCP settings (including to disable it). This is clearly shown in your screen shot.

 

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Re:TL-WA901N client mode - does it NAT the LAN devices?
2023-02-26 17:14:11 - last edited 2023-02-26 17:14:43

  @mag703 

 

Don't worry about that, just follow the guide I posted.

There's so called Smart DHCP feature which will handle that for you - here a more detailed explanation.

If you insist to control TL-WA901N DHCP server manually just set a Static IP on its LAN within your main router LAN subnet.

If this was helpful click once on the arrow pointing upward. If this solves your issue, click once the star to mark it as a "Recommended Solution".
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