Router, 2 APs and MAC filtering

[vio]

I am looking to setup a wireless network where I can list more than 30 MAC addresses.

I have a Cisco RV220W router, 2 DLINK routers (DIR-655 and DIR-615) and a Zyxel WAP3205 used as a bridge.

Is there an easy way to use the Cisco router only as wired router and firewall, and use the 2 DLINK routers as wireless access points?
If so, what do I need to do to set them up this way?

Where do I setup the MAC filter? On the Cisco router (for each of the WLANs supporting the DLINK routers), or on the DLINK routers?

Here are a few reasons for why I'm trying this:
- wireless range on the RV220W seems terrible compared to my former setup with DIR-655;
- I often lose connection to the router when on the wired network (via the bridge) - suspect to be some incompatibility, as I never had an issue when using the DIR-655 as wireless router;
- I need to list over 30 MAC addresses, and the DIR-622 only allows up to 24
- I like the extra features of the Cisco as firewall and router, plus VPN.


Thanks,
Vio

Thanks,
Vio

 

[thiggins]

Convert your routers to APs and add them to the network.
How To Convert a Wireless Router into an Access Point How To Add an Access Point to a Wireless Router

MAC address filters must be set up on the APs.

 

[vio]

Thanks a lot for the help. I have setup the MAC filter on the AP.

I have setup one of the D-Link routers as AP, setup the bridge to connect to this AP and realized I have the exact same issue as before. I'm now confused where the incompatibility is. The PC is always on, while the iMAC keeps losing connectivity while on wire via the bridge. Adding the D-Link as AP helped improving the range (or maybe just the connection's stability) for my Android mobile, but didn't help the iMAC. Luckily the iMAC connects fine on wireless (with either wireless networks), but I'm losing the gigabit connection with the PC, which I had through a switch.

Previous connections
----------------------
OK Modem <--> Router <--> iMac wireless
OK Modem <--> Router <--> Bridge <--> PC wired
*1* Modem <--> Router <--> Bridge <--> iMac wired
*2* Modem <--> Router <--> Android mobile

Now
----------------------
OK Modem <--> Router <--> AP <--> iMac wireless
OK Modem <--> Router <--> AP <--> Bridge <--> PC wired
*1* Modem <--> Router <--> AP <--> Bridge <--> iMac wired
OK Modem <--> Router <--> AP <--> Android mobile

(1) connection to bridge OK, connection with the router (and consequently to the Internet) gets dropped for minutes at a time.
(2) connection to the Internet is either flaky or does not have a coverage in all places.

Is there anything I can try in order to isolate the problem? I don't know how to proceed and which companies to engage - Apple, Cisco, Zyxel?

Thanks,
Vio

 

[thiggins]

I don't understand your diagram with the dual connections between modem and router.

But, regarding the bridge connection problem. WDS can be flaky, especially when connecting between devices from different manufacturers. If you are using WEP or WPA2 for the bridge connection, try disabling it temporarily and see if that helps stability.

You should also be using a different channel from your two other APs, staying with 1, 6 or 11. You should do a site survey to see if you are getting interference from another strong network. Make sure you are using 20 MHz bandwidth mode.

You should also look at signal strength reported by the ZyXEL bridge. Perhaps it is too low. The RV220W doesn't have great wireless, as you have figured out and as noted in our review.You can try moving it closer to the Cisco.