Trendnet TEW-432BRP wireless router as a second wireless access point
Setting up a second wireless access point can be a hassle. Not having the money to spare for a genuine wireless access point, I decided to get a Trendnet TEW-432BRP wireless router on sale and configure it as such. What follows is how I set is up the Trendnet TEW-432BRP as a second wireless access point on my home LAN.
The Efficient Networks Speedstream 6300 wireless dsl modem/router provided by my ISP is a true piece of near garbage. It chokes whenever there’s a large amount of data flowing across my LAN, requiring a reboot. For this reason, it’s connected to an old Linksys BEFSR41 ver.2 dsl router acting as a switch.
Recently, my wireless connection to the Speedstream 6300 had degraded to the point that, even casual web browsing would require it to be rebooted. This is where the Trendnet TEW-432BRP comes in. You’ll see how to configure the Trendnet wireless router as a second wireless access point. In my particular case, it’s connected to the Linksys router which is connected to the Speedstream. The latter is acting as both my primary gateway and DNS server.
In the breakdown of the following setup, you’ll notice that DHCP has been disabled for each router. Assigning a static IP and keeping a list of them in the /etc/hosts file on my Debian server is a personal preference. Also, no SSID is broadcasted for the WLAN, and dynamic routing is used.
Speedstream 6300 LAN IP: 192.168.2.1/24
DHCP disabled
SSID broadcast disabled
SSID: house
channel: 6
UPNP disabled
Linksys BEFSR41 ver.2 LAN IP: 192.168.2.20/24
same IP address and subnet for WAN
default gateway is 192.168.2.1
DNS server is 192.168.2.1
DHCP disabled
dynamic routing enabled using RIP2
routing table: (the XX’s is my public IP address)
Destination LAN IP Subnet Mask Default Gateway Hop Count Interface
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.2.1 1 WAN
XX.XX.XX.XX 255.255.255.255 192.168.2.1 2 LAN
192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 0.0.0.0 1 WAN
192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 0.0.0.0 1 LAN
Trendnet TEW-432BRP LAN IP: 192.168.2.23/24
DHCP disabled
SSID broadcast disabled
SSID: house2
channel: 6
WPS disabled
UPNP disabled
Dynamic Routing: NAT enabled, RIP2
routing table: (the XX’s is my public IP address)
Network Address Network Mask Gateway Address Interface Metric Type
XX.XX.XX.XX 255.255.255.255 192.168.2.1 LAN 1 Dynamic
XX.XX.XX.XX 255.255.255.255 192.168.2.200 LAN 2 Dynamic
The rest of the settings on the Trendnet TEW-432BRP and Linksys BEFSR41 are left at their default – except for the passwords of course. Also, both the TEW-432BRP and Speedstream 6300 use encryption for the wireless connection.
The limitation of the Linksys BEFSR41 is that all the LAN ports do not auto-detect. Only one of the ports can act as an uplink port to another router, switch or hub. In my case, it’s used to connect to the Speedstream 6300. Fortunately, the Trendnet TEW-432BRP’s LAN ports are all auto-MIDIX, so it can connect to any of the Linksys’s LAN ports.
The advantage of this kind of set up is that, even if the Speedstream 6300 fails, the LAN and WLAN can keep going – except for the WAN connection. Also, no more grief over large file transfers nor non-existent wireless connections.

November 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Enjoyed your effort. With that kind of expertise on you part I thought you may have an idea of my problem. I have been using a Netgear Router RP614 v2 as “hard wired” between two computers. My IP is Comcast, broadcasting DHCP through a Arrisi/Touchtone modem. With this hook-up all has worked well with both computer. I bought a TrendNet 54mps 802.11g Wireless Firewall Router. The purpose was to provide a “household” wireless to my laptop. Following the install instructions, it finishes, then notes that I do not have an internet. Reset, reboot, re-wiring, eliminating the 2nd computer all have not solved the problem. Perhaps you would have some ideas. It would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Quin Hahn
quinh@comcast.net
January 17th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Hi Quin.
Just to let you know I’m no pro at this. A lot of trial and error -
hence my “lab”. Plus, I ended up having to return my Trendnet as it died
a few weeks later. However, a defective router doesn’t sound like your
problem. Make sure that the network cable going from the Netgear to the
Trendnet ISN’T connected to the latter’s WAN port. It should connect to
one of the – usually – four LAN ports.
Alternatively, you can try the following. Before doing this you may even
want to uninstall any software that came with the Trendnet. 99% of the
time, this kind of software is unnecessary crapware. Most consumer grade
routers can be configured using a web browser. I also make a few other
assumptions in the following, but hopefully I’m right about them
First, disconnect your Trendnet and boot up one of your PCs. Make sure
that it’s connected to your router and that the modem is on.
Click on Start -> Run -> type “cmd’ then hit enter. ( “Win key + r” )
Type “ipconfig /all” then enter.
The line that says “Default Gateway” shows the IP address of your
router. Make a note of it. Example, 192.168.2.1
Also, make a note of the “DNS Servers”.
Second, disconnect the ethernet cable from the router to your PC and
connect it to one of the Trendnet’s LAN ports. ( PC < -> Trendnet ) Turn
on the Trendnet wireless router.
Check the instruction guide about accessing the web interface.
Typically, you’ll start up your web browser -> enter the Trendnet’s IP
address -> you may be prompted for a login and password (use the one in
the guide). Once you’re in, then you can finally start getting your
hands dirty.
Third, settings you need to change:
router IP address
-> if your Netgear is doing DHCP, make sure the address is outside the
DHCP range. For example, mine defaults to 192.168.2.10 to 192.168.2.100.
So, an IP address higher than 192.168.2.100 – like 192.168.2.250 – is safe.
Also, you’ll probably want it in the same group. So, if the default
gateway address (see above) was 192.168.0.1 (note the .0.1), then make
it 192.168.0.250
default gateway IP address
-> the same as your PC’s (see above). So the address of your Netgear router.
name server aka DNS Servers
-> the same as your PC’s (see above).
*Turn off / disable DHCP. You may also want kill the UPnP – a matter of
preference
*whatever you want re: wireless settings.
Fourth, turn off the Trendnet. Get another network cable to connect the
Trendnet (again use a LAN port) to the Netgear. In other words,
PC< ->Trendnet< ->Netgear< ->Modem
Fifth, the judgement day (tests).
1. Turn on the Trendnet and see if it lights up.
2. From your PC, start up your browser and try getting to the web
interface again – of course, you’ll be using the new IP address you set
for it.
3. From your PC, start -> run -> “cmd” again. Type “ping [Trendnet IP
address]“. You should not get the loathed “Request timed out” message.
4. From your PC again, “ping” the IP address of the Netgear router.
5. From your PC again, “ping google.com”
The first three tests are like general hardware tests. Like, I hope it’s
not busted.
The fourth one tests if your LAN (local area network) is okay.
The fifth one tests if your WAN (wide area network, for you aka
Internet) is okay.
If all is well, then you can progress to the laptop wireless stuff. Do
the ping tests and try web interface again.
If the thing fails the first three tests, I feel pretty comfortable
saying it’s time to take it back. Unless if someone else out there knows
more about this.
Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!
June 16th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Hi. I like the way you write. Will you post some more articles?