Yes it can, if you use dd-wrt firmware.. I have a wap54g v3 set up as a wireless repeater connecting wirelessly to a Linksys wrt610n router. Also I am accessing the internet by its wired connection with my desktop and wirelessly with a laptop.
First and foremost, this message is clearly displayed on the bottom of the Setup|AP Mode page of the WAP54G. Whilst we have heard of unconfirmed rumors of the WAP54G working outside this limitation we do not guaranty it to function at all.
Note: When set to "AP Client" and "Wireless Bridge" mode, this device will only communicate with another Linksys Access Point (WAP54G). When set to "Wireless Repeater" mode, this device will only communicate with another Linksys Access Point (WAP54G) and Linksys Wireless-G Router (WRT54G).
But here is how to setup Repeater mode for the WAP54G.
The assumption here is that you have installed firmware version 3.04.03 and that you have preconfigured the WAP54G as per the Start Here.
Place the WAP54G in AP Client mode.
Click Site Survey.
Note the MAC address of your router.
Place the WAP54G in Repeater mode.
Enter the MAC address note from above. The MAC address is entered in non dotted format. IE ABCDEF123456. The WAP54G will convert it to dotted format when you click Save Settings and Continue.
You may or may not be asked for the passphrase. This is the same passphrase used on the router for your security.
Click Save Settings and continue.
Now select Wireless|Wireless Security and replicate the same security as is on the router. This is being duplicated because the WAP54G assumes a security measure of WEP and you cannot change it when asked for the passphrase above.
Click Save Settings and Continue.
Select Wireless|Basic Wireless Settings to ensure the WAP54G is on the same channel as the router. This will have been displayed when you did the site survey above. If it needs changing the click Save Settings and Continue.
Now return the Setup|AP Mode, check that the MAC address is now displayed in BLUE. If the security doesn't match then the MAC address will be displayed in RED.
You may also find that some security measures available on between the WRT54G and WAP54G don't match. It is important that you select a security mode that matches both devices. This may require the security settings to be changed on the router to get a match.
I lsuccessfully flashed the dd-wrt firmware but when I tried the reflash to change it to a repeater the download froze and bricked the WAP. I now have to get a jtag cable to be able to reflash it and get it to work again.
Not sure what build you used, but on mine you just go to the dropdown from AP mode to repeater,, not reflash.. Any how, get the TFTP2 from the peacock thread and use that to reinstall the linksys firmware, then get the right build for your ver wap..Should be no problem. For my Ver 3 its dd-wrt.v24-11296_NEWD_micro.. Then go to the http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeater thread to set up wireless repeater mode...
Repeater Mode
I should have been more specific: Can the WAP54G be a repeater for a different brand/model of wireless router?
I would like to use the 54G as a repeater but it would be rather tricky to get an ethernet cable to where it will need to be.
Yes it can, if you use dd-wrt
Yes it can, if you use dd-wrt firmware.. I have a wap54g v3 set up as a wireless repeater connecting wirelessly to a Linksys wrt610n router. Also I am accessing the internet by its wired connection with my desktop and wirelessly with a laptop.
Repeater mode setup
First and foremost, this message is clearly displayed on the bottom of the Setup|AP Mode page of the WAP54G. Whilst we have heard of unconfirmed rumors of the WAP54G working outside this limitation we do not guaranty it to function at all.
But here is how to setup Repeater mode for the WAP54G.
The assumption here is that you have installed firmware version 3.04.03 and that you have preconfigured the WAP54G as per the Start Here.
Place the WAP54G in AP Client mode.
Click Site Survey.
Note the MAC address of your router.
Place the WAP54G in Repeater mode.
Enter the MAC address note from above. The MAC address is entered in non dotted format. IE ABCDEF123456. The WAP54G will convert it to dotted format when you click Save Settings and Continue.
You may or may not be asked for the passphrase. This is the same passphrase used on the router for your security.
Click Save Settings and continue.
Now select Wireless|Wireless Security and replicate the same security as is on the router. This is being duplicated because the WAP54G assumes a security measure of WEP and you cannot change it when asked for the passphrase above.
Click Save Settings and Continue.
Select Wireless|Basic Wireless Settings to ensure the WAP54G is on the same channel as the router. This will have been displayed when you did the site survey above. If it needs changing the click Save Settings and Continue.
Now return the Setup|AP Mode, check that the MAC address is now displayed in BLUE. If the security doesn't match then the MAC address will be displayed in RED.
You may also find that some security measures available on between the WRT54G and WAP54G don't match. It is important that you select a security mode that matches both devices. This may require the security settings to be changed on the router to get a match.
WAP54G
WAP54G as Repeater
I lsuccessfully flashed the dd-wrt firmware but when I tried the reflash to change it to a repeater the download froze and bricked the WAP. I now have to get a jtag cable to be able to reflash it and get it to work again.
Reflash to repeater
Not sure what build you used, but on mine you just go to the dropdown from AP mode to repeater,, not reflash.. Any how, get the TFTP2 from the peacock thread and use that to reinstall the linksys firmware, then get the right build for your ver wap..Should be no problem. For my Ver 3 its dd-wrt.v24-11296_NEWD_micro.. Then go to the http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeater thread to set up wireless repeater mode...