Configure Wireless WAN Client Mode for DD-WRT

Wondering how to establish a gateway topology with wireless WAN instead of conventional LAN cable connecting to WAN port? DD-WRT is able to do it easily! This section has my log entry for configuring such wireless WAN topology known as "client mode". The official documentation is available at: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Mode_Wireless

WARNING: This should serve as a data pointer, not a guide. You must and always refer to the main documentations for latest information to avoid bricking your device.

Choose a Wifi WAN Band

The first thing to do is to setup the wireless settings correctly. If you have dual-band wireless (2.5G and 5G) while your internet source wireless can support 5G band, use the 5G band for establishing WAN network interface. Otherwise, if the router only has one band, you can only use that for WAN connection while having all the devices connecting the router by cable-only.

To do that, the selected band (in this log, I used 5G) must have exact wifi name and wifi password with the wireless source. That means it must be exactly characters by characters, settings by settings. Hence, refers to your source.

Once done, press "SAVE" first and proceed to next step.

Configure Wireless WAN Wifi Specifications

If you do not have any idea, leave it as mixed or full spectrum (basically providing flexibility.

1. For wireless mode, set it to "client". (In case you have additional wifi band, you can set that to "AP" mode to cater wifi.)
2. One important to note is the wireless SSID must be exact characters-by-characters as the source wireless SSID.
3. Hit "Save" and not "Apply Settings" once done.

Configure Router Connection

Here, we got a lot of settings to deal with:

1. Set WAN connection type to "Automatic Configuration - DHCP".
2. Setup your router name according to your preference.
3. Setup your hostname for local DNS recognition.
4. Setup the domain name where the external sees this router.
5. Setup Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) according to your preferences. Leave it as it is if you do not know what is it about.
   1. But set the static DNS1 as your local DNS address.
   2. set the rest of the static DNS to your preferences (e.g. cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or google 8.8.8.8)
6. Check "Use DNSMasq for DNS" for DNS resolve in local area network.
7. Set the time settings accordingly.
8. Once done, press "save" and not "apply settings".

Set Operational Mode as Gateway

As the title implies, set the "Operational Mode" to "Gateway". Once done, press "save", then "apply settings". Let it restart automatically.