Getting to know Linksys WRE54G v3
Here are important FAQs you need to know about Linksys Range Expander.
Q: What is WRE54G v3?
A: It is a Wireless-G Range Expander which increases the effective coverage of your wireless network.
Q: What is the greatest signal range I can expect to receive, when using the WRE54G v3?
A: It varies on the environment in which the expander is located. It is best to centralize the expander between the wireless router or access point and the wireless computer.
Q: What is the default IP Address, Username and Password to login to the WRE54G v3?
A: The default IP address 192.168.1.240, Username blank or empty, and Password ”admin” are used to log in to WRE54G v3.
Q: What LEDs does WRE54G v3 have?
A: The LINK LED lights up when the Range Expander is powered on. This LED will light up blue when the Range Expander has connected to an access point or wireless router. It will light up red when the Range Expander is not connected to any access point or wireless router.
The ACT LED lights up when the Range Expander is powered on. It will blink when there is wireless network activity.
Q: What buttons are found on the WRE54G v3?
A: You will find the Reset button and Auto-Configuration button on the expander’s side panel.
Q: What is the Auto-Configuration button?
A: The Auto-Configuration button is used to easily connect the range expander to the nearest wireless network through an access point or wireless router.
Q: Will the Auto-Configuration button work, if the existing wireless network is secured?
A: No. Your wireless network’s security must be disabled for the Auto-Configuration feature to function. To configure the WRE54G v3 to connect to a WEP-protected network, use the setup CD or web-based setup page.
Q: What operating systems can be used to run the Setup CD?
A: The setup CD only works on Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.
Q: What levels and types of wireless security does WRE54G v3 support?
A: It supports 64/128 bit WEP and WPA Pre-Shared Key (TKIP).
Q: How does the WRE54G v3 synchronize with the wireless router or access point?
A: It synchronizes with the wireless network’s SSID since it’s a universal repeater.
Q: What is Wireless Distribution System (WDS)?
A: Wireless Distribution System is a system that enables the interconnection of access points wirelessly.
Q: If the SSID broadcast is disabled and the AP or a router does not broadcast the SSID, will the WRE54G v3 still connect to the AP or a router?
A: Yes. However, you have to specify the SSID in the setup wizard for the WRE54G v3.
Q: Does the WRE54G v3 broadcast its own SSID?
A: Yes, and it can also be disabled.
Q: Will the WRE54G v3 work with a Linksys Wireless-B (BEFW11S4) router?
A: Yes. Using firmware version 2.01.10 and above, WRE54G v3 will only work with BEFW11S4 v4 with firmware version 1.50.14. However, it is not
recommended since the range expander will decrease the transmission speed by half.
Q: How many WRE54G v3 can I use at a time?
A: You can use multiple WRE54G’s per wireless router or access point. Remember that the transmission speed coming from each Expander will be half
that of the source (this also applies to connecting a WRE54G to another WRE54G, and so on).
Q: Can I cascade multiple WRE54G’s? (i.e., |WRT54G| –> (WRE54G) –> (WRE54G) –> (WRE54G))?
A: The WRE54G is capable of being cascaded. However, it is not recommended that you cascade more than one WRE54G unit. This is because cascading more than one unit will decrease the throughput to less than 1Mbps.
An example of cascading is as follows:
| Router | ——-> (WRE54G) ——-> (WRE54G)
Q: Can you back up and restore settings on WRE54G v3?
A: Yes. You will find the option for Back up/Restore Setting under the Setup - Password tab of the expander’s web-based setup page.
Q: What should I do if the Setup CD cannot find the expander?
A: Press the expander’s Reset button using a pin or a pen for 5 seconds to reset the expander’s settings back to default then disconnect the Range
Expander’s power. After 30 seconds, connect the power again.
Q: What is the difference between WRE54G v1 and WRE54G v3?
A: WRE54G v3 has an Ethernet port while WRE54G v1 does not.
Q: What firmware download is available for the WRE54G v3?
A: The firmware version 2.01.12 is available for download. Click here to get the latest firmware.
Q: How do I upgrade the firmware on the WRE54G v3?
A:
1. Access the expander’s web-based setup page (http://192.168.1.240).
2. Go to Help tab.
3. Click Firmware Upgrade and browse for the firmware file downloaded from the Linksys site.
Q: How can I reset the WRE54G v3 to factory defaults?
A: Press and hold the Reset button for 10 seconds and plug the power back into the expander.
Q: What is the power specification of WRE54G v3?
A: The input power specification is 115-230V AC 0.2A and the output is 3.3V DC 1.5A.
Q: Should the power prong even be removed while the WRE54G v3 is connected to a power source?
A: No. Always unplug the WRE54G v3 from the power source before removing the power prong.
Q: What is the IEEE 802.11g standard?
A: It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11g standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to
communicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11g standard. The 802.11g standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.
Q: What is the warranty period of the WRE54G v3?
A: The warranty period of WRE54G v3 is three years.
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18 Comments on Getting to know Linksys WRE54G v3 »
Arnold Balite @ 9:54 am:
I have WRE54G that i can not configure the final message is “can not associate AP in repeater mode”. Can anyone help me solve this problem.
veberlie @ 2:07 pm:
that only means that you have inputted the incorrect network key
wasd @ 7:42 pm:
that means your router or access point is set to repeater mode, should be set to access point mode
sandra @ 9:12 am:
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
Tim Gentry @ 8:24 pm:
My wireless G expander’s LINK led blinks red and blue. what does that mean?
Teresa @ 1:44 pm:
I bought a G for my BEFW11S4 v2 because I found a post somewhere on the internet that it works. I’m having problems and cisco is awful. A webex completely dropped on their end. Good job.
Anyway, I can’t configure it at all. Does anyone know if they are even compatible. I saw the earlier post that says its not worth connecting because of speed degradation with BEFW.. V4
michael @ 4:05 pm:
No lights at all come on. Any ideas?
adam west @ 1:44 pm:
ths info is not helpful at all… how foes telling me all the shortcomings help me? more like getting to know a waste of money
gerard @ 4:33 pm:
I reached a point where the install process said ‘congratulations you have successfully configured your….etc- But when I looked to see what I was connected to it showed my original router ssid name? not the expander? This didn’t seem right since the expander has it’s own name some like RAD123 or something-
both lights were blue and steady- but I recall having done this before a few years ago and if I’m not mistaken the lights flickered blue/green to show transmission?
anyone?
Diane @ 10:40 am:
How can I tell if my wireless computer is finding the WRE54G? My connection to the internet is weak from this point, so I am wondering if I am just connected directly to the router, by-passing the range expander.
Greg @ 12:04 pm:
There are ten wireless networks in my building, the one that my landlord wants me to connect to is not the wireless network the auto-config selects. How do I change to a different wireless network? BTW: My Linksys CD is cracked.
d @ 7:13 pm:
your ssids should be the same
Aussie @ 3:28 am:
I’m trying to set up my WRE54g (v3) range expander, but I keep getting the message, “Site Survey Failed”. I’ve tried resetting the device - nothing. Anybody know another way?
Deb @ 10:54 am:
Plug the expander into your wireless router with a cat5 cable, type admin in the password space, set the ip to 192.168.1.240, sub 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.1, ssid linksys (same as router ssid), save settings. I can’t set my security mode, this forum does not answer questions, useless.
Jimbo @ 2:57 pm:
I got WRE54G version 3, security mode=WPA Pre-Shared Key, WPA alogrithm=TKIP, Group Key Renewal=99999 seconds (default 300 seconds). My main WRT54G security mode=WPA Personal, WPA alogrithm=TKIP+AES… With WPA alogrithm=AES my Linux OS laptops can’t connect so I got TKIP. Somehow Windows XP laptops can’t connect to TKIP so I manually modify SSID profile hard-set to TKIP. So far it’s working fine for now…
David @ 2:51 pm:
When connected to the wre54g unit, my computer doesn’t find the default IP address (192.168.1.240) when I type it into my browser. I’ve already reset the unit so I should be dealing with the default settings. What gives? What should I do?
Willis @ 11:03 am:
I’m not a guru at this stuff but here’s how I managed to get V2.01 and V3 wre54g range expanders to work with newer wireless routers for use on my ranch… and we do some serious extending out here.
When auto configuration wouldn’t work:
I connected the expander to the router with a cable.
I used a paperclip and pressed the reset button for 30 seconds.
I powered up the expander and waited until it booted up. (Top light stayed red, bottom light stayed blue.)
From one of the PCs on the wireless network I called up the following address using Internet Explorer
http://192.168.1.240
I then got the expander’s login screen. When set back to factory defaults the only thing I needed to enter was the password: admin
I then clicked the BASIC SETUP tab and manually entered:
(Note: Some of these numbers may already appear.)
IP Address: 192.168.1.240
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
(That is the IP address of my router. If your router uses a different IP address, you need to enter that number. Also note: Occasionally it works to leave these numbers 0.0.0.0 and let the expander figure out the IP address.)
SSID: The name of your wireless network that your computers look for.
SSID Broadcast: Enable
Channel: ___ (Use the channel number assigned to your router. Note: Sometimes we have to try different channels so we don’t get interference from other nearby wireless devices, especially in downtown business and apartment settings. If you don’t know the channel follow the procedure below for checking security settings and tab through until you find a screen that indicates the router’s channel choices and find one that matches.)
Wireless Security Settings: Enable
Don’t forget to save your settings.
OK, here is where people sometimes crash with these expanders. You typically have to enter your network’s security key to get onto the internet or see the other computers on your network.
Click Edit Security Settings
At this point your security settings on your extender have to be the same as your router and other computers, PDAs, etc. The extenders often have fewer choices than newer routers.
You can open a new tab in Internet Explorer and launch:
192.168.1.1
You should see a login screen for your router.
The default password should be: admin
Each router is different so tab through and find your security settings. Try to match the extender’s settings to your router’s settings.
If you can’t match the two, I typically play it safe and set everything (including computers and PDAs) to:
Security mode: WPA-Preshared Key
WPA Algorithym: TKIP
WPA Shared Key: (The security key or passphrase that appears on the router.)
Group Key Renewal: 300 seconds.
Don’t forget to save your settings.
I typically then go to the password tab and set the password to some other name that I will remember so someone can’t hack my extender.
At that point I disconnect power to the extender, unplug the network cable, wait about a minute and power the extender back up. After it reboots and I have two blue lights, I’ll once again connect to it via 168.192.1.240 and make sure I can connect to it wirelessly. If that doesn’t work I’ll press the auto configuration button and see if the extender can be reached wirelessly. When that works I’ll then move the extender to an area near my “dead spot,” fire it up and see if it works. If I don’t get an internet connection I’ll check my security settings and passphrase (network key.) A simple typo in the security area will keep things from communicating.
I had one v.3 unit that got confused in this process, probably because I misconfigured something. However after leaving it off for a day, pressing reset and plugging it back in, it found the network and worked fine. Sometimes some of these chips have to completely power down before they will correctly take new data and the capacitors in the circuits can hold a trace of power for a while.
These steps may seem daunting to someone who hasn’t done this before. Just take things one step at a time. There are also some FAQ and tip sheets on the web, including on the Network Solutions site that can help if you get tangled up in these settings. However once you get things sorted out you should be able to forget it… however I always save the final settings that worked on a text log just in case a unit goes down and has to be reset.
Be patient. Getting frustrated usually keeps you from seeing a simple error. Good luck.
“:O) Willis
Batman @ 8:03 pm:
Thanks for sharing Willis