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How to Set Up a Netgear R6220 with OpenWrt as a Network Bridge

Introduction

A well-extended home network is essential for today’s connected lifestyle, but physical and wireless obstacles can complicate things. Setting up a network bridge with a Netgear R6220 router running OpenWrt is an efficient solution. This guide will detail how to use relayd for bridging, emphasizing the importance of a unified subnet for seamless network integration.

Why OpenWrt and the Netgear R6220?

The combination of OpenWrt’s advanced features and the Netgear R6220’s reliable performance offers a powerful platform for network customization. OpenWrt provides the flexibility needed for complex setups like network bridging, while the R6220 ensures stable operation.

Pre-requisites

Start with a Netgear R6220 router that has OpenWrt installed. For installation guides and initial setup, refer to the OpenWrt official documentation.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Installing relayd

Install relayd through the OpenWrt’s LuCI interface (System > Software) or via SSH:

opkg update
opkg install relayd luci-proto-relay

relayd facilitates the bridging process by allowing disparate network segments to communicate as if they were within the same network.

2. Connecting to the Main Network

Use the OpenWrt interface (Network > Wireless) to connect your router to the primary Wi-Fi network, ensuring it acts as a seamless extension of your home network.

3. Configuring Network Interfaces

Create a 'relay_bridge' interface (Network > Interfaces). The critical aspect here is to assign it a static IP address within the same subnet as your main network. This ensures all devices, regardless of whether they're connected to the main router or the bridge, can communicate without subnet conflicts.

4. Simplifying Network Configuration by Removing WAN

  • Remove WAN Interfaces: To avoid unnecessary complexity, delete any WAN interfaces from Network > Interfaces. This step is essential to prevent routing and firewall rule conflicts.

  • Consolidate Firewall Zones: Ensure the 'relay_bridge' and LAN interfaces are assigned to the same firewall zone (Network > Firewall). Removing references to the WAN zone further simplifies the setup, emphasizing a unified network environment.

5. Unified DHCP and DNS Settings

It's crucial to disable DHCP on the LAN, relay bridge, and wireless interfaces to prevent IP address conflicts. By setting the main router as the sole DHCP server and DNS, you reinforce the notion of a single, cohesive network subnet. This configuration is essential for network devices to communicate efficiently.

Testing and Troubleshooting

After configuring your bridge, test connectivity across your network. Devices connected to the bridge should have uninterrupted access to the internet and other network resources as if they were directly connected to the main router, thanks to being on the same subnet.

Emphasizing Subnet Unity

One of the most critical aspects of this setup is ensuring that all components — the main router, the bridged router, and all connected devices — reside within the same subnet. This unity is what allows seamless communication and functionality across the network bridge.

Conclusion

By focusing on subnet unity and simplifying the network structure, setting up a Netgear R6220 with OpenWrt as a network bridge not only extends your network’s reach but also maintains a high level of performance and reliability.

Share Your Experience

If you’ve undertaken a network bridge project or have insights to share, your contribution can be incredibly valuable to others exploring similar setups.

Further Learning

For more on OpenWrt’s capabilities and community support, check out the OpenWrt forums and documentation.

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