Troubleshooting tricky network configurations: Need some guidance!
Troubleshooting tricky network configurations: Need some guidance!
You're asking about the reason behind using two different SSIDs.
The router operates on its own network, likely split into two parts since the PC will also handle NAT. You can't just connect WiFi directly—this setup is meant for one client per connection. Ideally, link the router straight to the main network via Ethernet or WiFi in Client mode. This allows you to forward ports from the router to your NAS. Even better, use a dedicated WiFi repeater with a custom adapter (DD-WRT or OpenWRT support available) that runs in Client AP mode. It connects through WiFi Client AP, bypasses NAT entirely, and re-transmits the signal on another channel to prevent speed loss.
Thanks for sharing your setup. It sounds like you're trying to manage multiple devices with different networks. Let me know if you need help with that!
I also had ddwrt on the router last year, though I recall some problems. The university Wi-Fi uses WPA 2 enterprise with PEAP login. Is ddwrt compatible with this kind of security? Perhaps I’ll try again if I realize I set it up incorrectly.
It's uncertain, but worth a shot. The main concern if it works is using a USB WiFi adapter connected to the university network so you can access full-speed internet without interference. The router will broadcast on its own channel, which helps avoid conflicts. Getting DD-WRT compatible adapters can be challenging because sharing one for both client and access points would increase your data usage and might not be appreciated by the institution.
I’ve handled this before, aside from the possible WPA2 Enterprise issue, it’s definitely achievable.