WAP4410N - Understanding roaming, WDS, repeater, bridge

Question

Router: Cisco WRVS4400N secured with WPA2
WAP: Cisco WAP4410N
Router was working well but signal too weak in distant rooms.
So, purchased a WAP4410N but am unsure about AP configuration. From reading the docs, I understand these to be the relevant choices:
1) Access Point -- Wired connection through built-in Ethernet port. (Not Desired)
2) Wireless WDS Repeater
3) Wireless Client / Repeater (What is difference from WDS Repeater?)
4) Wireless WDS Bridge
Desired Result:
Simply extend the network. As a laptop is carried from room to room, laptop should switch to the strongest signal seamlessly, without user doing anything manually. No matter where I am, laptop should see entire network. Also, I prefer that the WAP not require a wired Ethernet connection (that is, I would like the WAP to receive/repeat the router's wireless signal No Ethernet Cable Required).
1. Which of the above 4 settings is best for achieving desired outcome?
2. What should the SSID be on the WAP? Same as on the router?
3. Should both the router and WAP be on the same channel? (I suspect not, but included docs sound like they should be..?)
4. Should both the router and the WAP have the same wireless security setting (WPA2) and passphrase?
5. On the router, under the Wireless menu --> WDS submenu there is a checkbox: "Allow wireless signal to be repeated by a repeater".  I assume this must be checked?
6. I understand that Microsoft's built-in Wireless Zero Configuration service does not disambiguate APs which share the same SSID and may not always roam with the strongest signal.*** We need to move from area to area and seamlessly retain the network signal. Is this still a problem in Windows7? Is there a workaround for XP's WZC deficiencies?
Is there anything else I should know?
*** http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3628576

Answer 1

Hello bcmitsupport,
I am glad to hear you got it working. I did notice though that you said the WAP4410N was wired. If the repeater is working correctly you should not have to have it wired.
If you do have the option of using a wired connection then I would recommend the following-
AP mode is AP
Same SSID
Same Security
Different wireless channel (1, 6, 11 are the non overlap channels)
This provides the strongest signal and speed between both wireless points.
If you are interested in trying the repeater mode still I recommend the following-
AP mode is WDS repeater
Same SSID
Same Security
Same wireless channel
On the router enable 'allow this signal to be repeated'
Make sure you are using both wireless MAC addresses for the wireless *NOTE: the MAC listed on the router is not always the wireless MAC. this can be found in the wireless section of both devices.
Here is the key part, if you are using both as a repeater and the AP is wired, you will know it is working when your network goes down. This is because the AP is repeating the signal back to the router over the wire and getting it repeated back out over the wireless until the network goes down.
To further answer your orginal question-
WDS mode provides a better connection as both devices are 'aware' of each other and is more of a switched connection. When using client/repeater, the AP is actually acting like a client to the orginal signal and simply relaying messages across as if it was from the AP.
WDS bridge is simply a way to configure a wireless bridge. A bridge is not designed for clients to connect wirelessly but to create a 'wireless cable' so you can connect your wired computer wirelessly.
Ultimately the best connection is a wired one as it does not diminish the signal. A repeater has half the range and half the speed as it has to repeat both in and out.