Router and access point (AP)

organize network for the camper's wired and Wi-Fi devices,
with a strong AP that can be accessed at a long distance

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Main components:
- a router with Wi-Fi radio,
- a network switch (optional),
- the camper's Internet Wi-Fi extender (optional).

There are 2 roles of router in the camper:

  • the router provides the camper's network (wired and Wi-Fi), services connections between camper's crew gadgets, computers, sensors and actuators of the Camper assistant,
  • the access point (AP) of the router provides Internet for devices within the camper's network while receives Internet from Internet Wi-Fi extender.

Not all routers with owned firmware can provide functions as needed for the Camper assistant, others can. Anyway the OpenWrt OS can be installed on the router in most cases. Here described customization of the Netgear R6220 with OpenWrt OS installed. This one model is not the best choice for the Camper assistant's functions realization because of modest power of Wi-Fi radio. But this case is described as a "general case". In next articles will be described the making and mounting of antennas for this case at the camper. With some other routers (as a rule - outdoor Wi-Fi routers), making additional antennas may be not needed.

All settings were made via Windows PC. In some cases will need to switch off the PC firewall while settings. The Netgear R6220 router was attached to the PC via RJ-45 patch cord while settings.

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OpenWRT OS was installed as described on the appropriate page of OpenWrt project for this router model.

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OpenWRT was logged in on IP 192.168.1.1 with login root and password 1234.

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The password was changed first of all. This password is not for Wi-Fi, but for access to the router as a regular computer via Telnet, PuTTY, WEB-browser, etc.

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The "Hostname" was set to CA-RTR (mean Camper Assistant Router) in System.System menu, and was clicked on to "Sync with browser" next to "Local Time".
With this name this router will broadcast in the Camper's network.

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Next step in menu System.Backup/Flash, in section "Flash new firmware image" was installed OpenWrt package for Netgear R6220 (sysupgrade) from a local PC disk, zipped as is.

At this moment was switched on Wi-Fi access point name "CA-WFE" as described in article about Internet Wi-Fi extender. But it can be any other method of Wi-Fi hotspot deployment used, for example on a mobile device.

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In Network.Wireless menu was pressed "Scan" next to "radio0".

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In text tab was "Join Network" next to "CA-WFE".

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In next tab was changed: "WPA passphrase" to CA-WFE password, "Name of the new network" to "wwan" (can be any other name), "Create / Assign firewall-zone" to "LAN", then was clicked "Submit".

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In next tab was changed "Operating frequency Channel" to "11", "Operating frequency Width" to "40", "BSSID" to blanked, "Netwrork" to "wwan" (was setted on previous step) and to "lan", then was clicked "Save & Apply".

Setting the Wi-Fi channel to 11 permanently in this case allows the radio0 to be switched on for all time while the router is needed for the Camper assistant's purposes. This is the channel of the acces point of the EDUP EP-AC1621 USB Wi-Fi adapter used for the Internet Wi-Fi extender. Most USB Wi-Fi adapters broadcast on the 11 channel of 2.4 GHz band.

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Then in Network.Wireless menu was pressed "Edit" next to "SSID: OpenWrt" in "radio0" section.

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In next tab was changed "ESSID" to "CA-APR" (mean Access Point & Router 2.4 GHz band), "Netwrork" to "lan", "Wireless Security Encryption" to "WPA2-PSK", and was entered Wi-Fi password in "Wireless Security Key" field, then was clicked "Save & Apply".

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In the menu Network.Firewall was clicked "Add".

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In next tab was changed "Name" to "brgzone" (can be any), "Forward" to "accept", "Masquerading" to On, "MSS clamping" to On, "Covered networks" to "lan" and to "wwan", then was clicked "Save & Apply".

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In the menu Network.Diagnostics was pressed "Ping" for the checking of Internet connection.

Note: one of the latest versions of OpenWrt OS can be used for router Netgear R6220 where function of "bridging" between interfaces is built in. But if some router which can only launch an old version of OpenWrt OS, the "bridging" function must be especially deployed, for example as described in article Video recorder and streamer (wireless IP camera).

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Then in Network.Interfaces menu was pressed "Edit" next to "LAN" box.

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In the opened tab was changed "IPv4 address" to "192.168.8.1", "IPv4 netmask" to "255.255.255.0", then was clicked "Save & Apply".

Optional may be helpful to add custom DNS servers in this form:
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
176.103.130.130
176.103.130.131

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In the opened tab (need time to wait) was clicked "Apply unchecked".

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From this point, the router can be accessed on IP 192.168.8.1 in the Camper's network. Any LAN devices can be switched to RJ-45 ports of the router, any Wi-Fi devices can be connected to Camper's AP named "CA-APR" on 2.4 GHz band. All of them can take Internet if Internet Wi-Fi extender or any other mobile device distributes Internet via access point named "CA-WFE" at this time.

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Then, after new login in OpenWrt had, in Network.Wireless menu was pressed "Edit" next to "SSID: OpenWrt" in "radio1" section.

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In next tab was changed "Mode" to "AC", "Channel" to "48", "Width" to "80 MHz", "ESSID" to "CA-APR5" (mean Access Point & Router 5.x GHz band), "Netwrork" to "lan", "Wireless Security Encryption" to "WPA2-PSK", and was entered Wi-Fi password in "Wireless Security Key" field, then was clicked "Save & Apply".

The router was disconnected to the PC.

From this point, any Wi-Fi devices can be connected to Camper's AP named "CA-APR5" on 5.x GHz band. But need keep in mind that this band for "Indoor" use as required by regulatory rules, and that 5.x GHz band works on short distances. Good idea to use connection on 5.x GHz band only within a camper.

Being tuned as here described and based on OpenWrt properties, the access point "CA-APR5" (i.e. on 5.x GHz band) can work all time, but access point "CA-APR" (i.e. on 2.4 GHz band) can work only if "CA-WFE" broadcasts (no matter distribute Internet in this time or not). If "CA-WFE" distributes the Internet, the global net will be on both bands.

Summarizing this notes about tuned Wi-Fi bands, preferably the use AP "CA-APR5" for interconnections within a camper while AP "CA-APR" for Internet surfing and connection to camper's equipment for long distances.

Attention! There are many routers with Wi-Fi on a market. When buying a router in one country from an official dealer, no questions about the use may arise. But while traveling with this router to different countries, it is necessary to comply with the regulatory rules of these countries for the use of Wi-Fi. These rules can vary.

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For any Wi-Fi radio, no matter client this or master broadcasts, need to set "Country code" according to current location (in Network.Wireless menu in section "Advanced settings").
OpenWrt being configured as described here, provides access for this function in the camper's network anytime on IP 192.168.8.1.

In the following articles will be described how to switch "Country code" automatically based GPS parameters.

With used router Netgear R6220 (and most others), if more then four camper assistant's devices will be wired in the network, then a switch is required. This switch needs only to be attached to the LAN port of the router.

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