Skip to content

Commit

Permalink
updated Access Point document
Browse files Browse the repository at this point in the history
  • Loading branch information
@morrownr
morrownr committed Mar 8, 2022
1 parent 4d91fea commit f56d097
Showing 1 changed file with 76 additions and 63 deletions.
139 changes: 76 additions & 63 deletions docs/AP_Mode-Bridged_Wireless_Access_Point.md
View file
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,60 +1,63 @@
2022-01-20
2022-02-16

## Bridged Wireless Access Point

A bridged wireless access point (aka Dumb AP) works within an existing
A `Bridged Wireless Access Point` (aka Dumb AP) works within an existing
ethernet network to add WiFi capability where it does not exist or to
extend the network to WiFi capable computers and devices in areas where
the WiFi signal is weak or otherwise does not meet expectations. One big
advantage of this setup is that it can cost far less than many of the
Mesh kits that are available. Another advantage this setup has over Mesh
kits is that the Raspberry Pi is a general purpose computer so it can be
used for additional tasks while performing as a Bridged Wireless Access
Point.
Mesh kits that are available. Another advantage this setup has is that
the Raspberry Pi is a general purpose computer so it can be used for
additional tasks while performing as a `Bridged Wireless Access Point`.

```
((((( tablet
╱
INTERNET >>>>>>> modem/router >>>>>>> RasPi ))))) ((((( laptop
(cable) ╱ ╲
(fiber) CAT 5e+ ((((( phone
(dsl)
(dsl) Powerline AV2
Ethernet Over Coax
```

Note: The connection from the router to the RasPi is best served by
a CAT 5e or greater ethernet cable but good alternatives exist. One
Note: The connection from the router to the RasPi is best served by a
CAT 5e or greater ethernet cable but alternatives exist. One
alternative is to use your existing electrical wiring by using
Powerline AV2 adapters. These adapters are also called Homeplug AV2
`Powerline AV2` adapters. These adapters are also called `Homeplug AV2`
adapters and come in a variety of speeds and prices. I have had success
with Powerline AV2 adapters but success depends on the quality and setup
of the electrical wiring to be used. Anyone considering Powerline AV2
should research the issue and be prepared to the return the product if
it does not work well. I am exploring additional alternatives.
with `Powerline AV2` adapters but success depends on the quality and setup
of the electrical wiring to be used. Another option is `Ethernet Over
Coax (MoCa)`. Anyone considering `Powerline AV2` or `Ethernet Over
Coax (MoCa)` should research the products and be prepared to return
the products if expectations are not met.

#### Single Band or Dual Band - Your Choice

This document outlines single band and dual band WiFi setups using a Raspberry
Pi 3B, 3B+ or 4B with an AC600 USB2 or AC1200 USB3 WiFi adapter for 5 GHz
band and either an additional external WiFi adapter or internal WiFi for 2.4 GHz
band. There is a lot of flexibility and capability available with this type of
setup.
This document outlines single band and dual band WiFi setups using a
Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+ or 4B with an AC600 USB2 or AC1200 USB3 WiFi
adapter for 5 GHz band and either an additional external WiFi adapter or
internal WiFi for 2.4 GHz band. There is a lot of flexibility and
capability available with this type of setup.

#### Information

This setup supports WPA3-SAE. It is disabled by default.

WPA3-SAE will not work with some Realtek 88xx drivers. Let's just say that this
issue is in progress.
WPA3-SAE will not work with some Realtek 88xx drivers. Let's just say
that this issue is in progress.

WPA3-SAE works with Mediatek 761x chipset based USB WiFI adapters and, as far as
I can tell, with all usb wifi adapters that use Linux in-kernel drivers and I
have tested many.
WPA3-SAE works with Mediatek 761x chipset based USB WiFI adapters and,
as far as I can tell, with all usb wifi adapters that use Linux
in-kernel drivers and I have tested many.

Note: This guide uses systemd-networkd for network management. If your Linux
distro uses Network Manager or Netplan, they must be disabled. Sections that
explain how to do this are located near the end of this document. Please go
to and follow the appropriate section now, if required, before continuing with
this setup guide. If you are using the Raspberry Pi OS, you may continue with
this setup guide now as the Raspberry Pi OS does not use Network Manager or
Netplan.
Note: This guide uses `systemd-networkd` for network management. If your
Linux distro uses Network Manager or Netplan, they must be disabled.
Sections that explain how to do this are located near the end of this
document. Please go to and follow the appropriate section now, if
required, before continuing with this setup guide. If you are using the
Raspberry Pi OS, you may continue with this setup guide now as the
Raspberry Pi OS does not use Network Manager or Netplan.

-----

Expand All @@ -76,7 +79,7 @@ Ethernet and Powerline AV2 connections providing internet (both tested)

[SD Card](https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Endurance-32GB-Micro-Adapter/dp/B07B98GXQT)

Note: I use the case upside down with little stick on rubber feet. There
Note: I use the case upside down with little stick-on rubber feet. There
are several little things that work better with the case upside down and
no negatives that I can find.

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -104,67 +107,75 @@ which is an AC600 class adapter that has very impressive range.

#### Setup Steps

USB WiFi adapter driver installation, if required, should be performed and tested
prior to continuing.
USB WiFi adapter driver installation, if required, should be performed
and tested prior to continuing.

Note: For USB3 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8812au, rtl8812bu and rtl8814au
chipsets, the following module parameters may be needed for best performance
when the adapter is set to support 5 GHz band: (if using a rtl8812bu based
adapter with a Raspberry Pi 4B or 400, you may need to limit USB mode to USB2
due to a bug, probably in the Raspberry Pi 4B, that causes dropped connections--
rtw_switch_usb_mode=2)
Note: For USB3 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8812au, rtl8812bu and
rtl8814au chipsets, the following module parameters may be needed for
best performance when the adapter is set to support 5 GHz band: (if
using a rtl8812bu based adapter with a Raspberry Pi 4B or 400, you may
need to limit USB mode to USB2 due to a bug, probably in the Raspberry
Pi 4B, that causes dropped connections-- rtw_switch_usb_mode=2)

```
rtw_vht_enable=2 rtw_switch_usb_mode=1
```

Note: For USB2 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8811au chipset, the following
module parameters may be needed for best performance when the adapter is set to
support 5 GHz band:
Note: For USB2 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8811au and rtl8821cu
chipset, the following module parameters may be needed for best
performance when the adapter is set to support 5 GHz band:

```
rtw_vht_enable=2
```

Note: For USB3 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8812au, rtl8812bu and rtl8814au
chipsets, the following module parameters may be needed for best performance
when the adapter is set to support 2.4 GHz band:
Note: For USB3 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8812au, rtl8812bu and
rtl8814au chipsets, the following module parameters may be needed for
best performance when the adapter is set to support 2.4 GHz band:

```
rtw_vht_enable=1 rtw_switch_usb_mode=2
```

Note: For USB2 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8811au chipset, the following
module parameters may be needed for best performance when the adapter is set to
support 2.4 GHz band:
Note: For USB2 adapters based on the Realtek rtl8811au and rtl8821cu
chipset, the following module parameters may be needed for best
performance when the adapter is set to support 2.4 GHz band:

```
rtw_vht_enable=1
```

Note: For USB3 or USB2 adapters based on Mediatek mt7612u or mt7610u chipsets,
the following module parameter may be needed for best performance:
Note: For USB3 adapters based on Mediatek mt7612u chipsets, the
following module parameter may be needed for best performance:

```
disable_usb_sg=1
```

Note: Here is a quick way to set the `disable_usb_sg` paramter:

```
sudo -i
echo "options mt76_usb disable_usb_sg=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/mt76_usb.conf
exit
```

Note: More information is available at the following site:

https://github.com/morrownr/7612u

Note: For this access point setup to support WPA3-SAE in a dual band setup, two
USB WiFi adapters with Mediatek or Atheros chipsets are required as the Realtek
and internal Raspberry Pi WiFi drivers do not support WPA3-SAE as of the date
of this document.
Note: For this access point setup to support WPA3-SAE in a dual band
setup, two USB WiFi adapters with Mediatek or Atheros chipsets are
required as the Realtek and internal Raspberry Pi WiFi drivers do not
support WPA3-SAE as of the date of this document.

The follow site provides links to adapters that support WPA3-SAE: [USB-WIFI](https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi)

-----

Update, upgrade and clean up the operating system.
```
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade && sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt autoremove
```

Note: Upgrading the operating system is not mandatory for this
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -226,9 +237,9 @@ arm_freq=1600

Enable predictable network interface names

Note: While this step is optional, problems can arise without it on dual band
setups. Some Linux distros have this capability enabled by default but not the
Raspberry Pi OS.
Note: While this step is optional, problems can arise without it on dual
band setups. Some Linux distros have this capability enabled by default
but not the Raspberry Pi OS.

```
sudo raspi-config
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -288,8 +299,8 @@ sudo systemctl enable hostapd

-----

Note: The below steps include creating two hostapd configurations files but
only one is needed if using a single band setup.
Note: The below steps include creating two hostapd configurations files
but only one is needed if using a single band setup.

Create hostapd configuration file for 5 GHz band.

Expand All @@ -302,7 +313,7 @@ File contents
```
# /etc/hostapd/hostapd-5g.conf
# Documentation: https://w1.fi/cgit/hostap/plain/hostapd/hostapd.conf
# 2021-11-15
# 2022-02-11
# SSID
ssid=myPI-5g
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -403,8 +414,10 @@ vht_capab=[SHORT-GI-80]
#vht_capab=[MAX-MPDU-11454][SHORT-GI-80][TX-STBC-2BY1][RX-STBC-1][HTC-VHT][MAX-A-MPDU-LEN-EXP7]
# rtl8814au
#vht_capab=[MAX-MPDU-11454][RXLDPC][SHORT-GI-80][TX-STBC-2BY1][RX-STBC-1][HTC-VHT][MAX-A-MPDU-LEN-EXP7]
# rtl8811au - rtl8811cu
# rtl8811au
#vht_capab=[MAX-MPDU-11454][SHORT-GI-80][RX-STBC-1][HTC-VHT][MAX-A-MPDU-LEN-EXP7]
# rtl8811cu
#vht_capab=[MAX-MPDU-11454][SHORT-GI-80][HTC-VHT][MAX-A-MPDU-LEN-EXP7]
#
# Note: [TX-STBC-2BY1] may cause problems with some Realtek drivers
Expand Down

0 comments on commit f56d097

Please sign in to comment.