Ideally all wireless access points should be connected to a wired star topology network, but this is not always possible.

Use a spare router as a DD-WRT wireless repeater

If you already have an existing router, but plan on getting a new one as well, then as long as your existing one supports DD-WRT, you can use it as a DD-WRT repeater. What this means, is that you can place it in a completely different location to your main router and it will relay the wireless signal.

A wireless extender or wireless repeater picks up a faint wireless signal to connect to the main network and sends out its own strong wi-fi signal.  All traffic is relayed to the main network.  This allows clients normally unable to pick up a wi-fi signal to connect to the main network still.

To setup the weaker router as the repeater follow these steps:

1. Install DD-WRT on the router, as per the previous steps
2. Navigate to Setup -> Basic Setup. There, Disable your ‘Connection Type’, as the router will not be plugged into your main router or modem.
3. Change the ‘Router’ and ‘Host Name’. We recommend using the same name with a ‘-2’ appended to it.
4. Change the last digit of the ‘Local Router IP Address’. Generally IPs get assigned to devices automatically, and you wish to avoid having a collision and cause two devices not to have a wireless signal so we’d recommend choosing a relatively high number such as 50.
5. Change DHCP Type to ‘DHCP Forwarder’.
6. Enter the IP address of your primary router (usually also your modem) under ‘DHCP Server’. Generally speaking, this should be 192.168.1.1. To find out exactly which one, consult your manual for this device. Save the changes.
7. Go to the Security tab and turn off all the security settings (uncheck everything), as your main router will handle all security. Hit Save.
8. Go to the Wireless tab, and change ‘Wireless Mode’ to either ‘Repeater’ or ‘Repeater Bridge’. Once done, click Save.
   1. ‘Repeater’ will only help relay your wireless signal, this is the best option if you only connect to your devices wirelessly
   2. Selecting ‘Repeater Bridge’ allows you to use its Ethernet ports. This means that you can plug your Smart TV, games console, or other devices to it. This will allow these devices to have a faster internet connection. This will also allow these devices to see other devices on the network such as network attached storage solutions.
9. Change your ‘Wireless Network Name (SSID)’ to exactly match the settings on your main router. If your main router has both a 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz then network, then make sure you do this for both. Hit Save again.
10. Go to the Wireless -> Wireless Security Tab and change the setting to match those of your networks primary router. Hit ‘Save’ and, finally, ‘Apply settings’.