Bridge mode
- Thread starter Kracov
- Start date
According to the manual:
https://static.tenda.com.cn/other/qrcoder/20250908093042177/User Guide.pdf
It does not have that feature. There may be some undocumented method but so far I cannot find it.
It does have a NAT configuration option for a 'server' or DMZ host, so those might be the closest option if you are trying to expose something on your network to the internet.
If you saw a video like this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqKUCxb3W3k
It has no spoken instructions, just a horrific background music you are better off not thinking about.
That video seems to be for if you want to make the router into a wifi client bridge. That means the router connects to someone else's wifi network and provides a wired 'bridge' to the wifi service provided by someone else.
Your router does not seem to have that feature either, according to the manual. Perhaps it was added with a firmware update after the manual was released.
https://static.tenda.com.cn/other/qrcoder/20250908093042177/User Guide.pdf
It does not have that feature. There may be some undocumented method but so far I cannot find it.
It does have a NAT configuration option for a 'server' or DMZ host, so those might be the closest option if you are trying to expose something on your network to the internet.
If you saw a video like this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqKUCxb3W3k
It has no spoken instructions, just a horrific background music you are better off not thinking about.
That video seems to be for if you want to make the router into a wifi client bridge. That means the router connects to someone else's wifi network and provides a wired 'bridge' to the wifi service provided by someone else.
Your router does not seem to have that feature either, according to the manual. Perhaps it was added with a firmware update after the manual was released.
Someone slap me if I'm wrong, but if you're specifically looking for a router than can be put into bridge mode then it seems to me that you don't want a router. Bridge mode is for when you are forced to use a router (generally by your ISP) but don't want that device actually handling router duties. What is it you actually need?
I am assuming they are looking for a wireless bridge, not a "turn the router into a modem" bridge.
Ahhh, okay. You're looking for a wifi repeater.
Those aren't terribly popular nowadays, as mesh systems are widely available and generally superior to sticking a random repeater onto an existing wireless access point. You can get a decent mesh system with 2 APs for $150 nowadays, such as this TP-Link system.
Those aren't terribly popular nowadays, as mesh systems are widely available and generally superior to sticking a random repeater onto an existing wireless access point. You can get a decent mesh system with 2 APs for $150 nowadays, such as this TP-Link system.
TP-Link is good enough usually for repeaters/routers/mesh. Typically, if you can run network wiring or can use powerline ethernet if the home's electrical wiring is in reasonable shape, that's a better option to then place another AP or router somewhere else.
it's when you want seamless roaming that things get tricky.
TP-Link also has a way to do that, cheaper than Ubiquiti, but it's all going to be some effort.
it's when you want seamless roaming that things get tricky.
TP-Link also has a way to do that, cheaper than Ubiquiti, but it's all going to be some effort.
So you have 2 of the Tenda AC1200?
If so, you can make the poor man's "mesh" the old way we did back before mesh systems.
Keep the main router as it is. No changes.
Turn on the new router and connect a laptop or other computer to it via a network cable to the LAN port.
Use the computer to log into the management page of the new router.
Change the router LAN IP to a slightly different IP address than the main router. If the main router LAN IP is 192.168.1.1, make the new router's LAN IP address 192.168.1.254 or similar.
You'll need to login to the management interface of the new router after that IP address change (use the new IP).
Once you login, find the DHCP server settings in the LAN settings area and turn OFF the DHCP server. Save the settings.
Now connect a cable from a LAN port on the main router to a LAN port on the new router. Make sure the cable is long enough to reach where you want the new router to be located.
Configure the wifi settings on the new router to match the ones on the old router. Same SSID (network name) and same WIFI password. Save the settings.
Now you have a second wifi access point that is connected to the existing LAN from your main router.
Because the system is no a true mesh where the two wifi access points know about each other and manage client devices together, you may have trouble where moving from the range of one access point to the other will be fiddly or slow (it will take a while for your device to 'let go' of the old access point and use the new one, or vice versa, as you move around). Should be ok though.
EDIT:
Actually, never mind. If you have 2 of that same model, look at the manual. There is a section on how to make one of them mesh with the first. Give that a shot.
If so, you can make the poor man's "mesh" the old way we did back before mesh systems.
Keep the main router as it is. No changes.
Turn on the new router and connect a laptop or other computer to it via a network cable to the LAN port.
Use the computer to log into the management page of the new router.
Change the router LAN IP to a slightly different IP address than the main router. If the main router LAN IP is 192.168.1.1, make the new router's LAN IP address 192.168.1.254 or similar.
You'll need to login to the management interface of the new router after that IP address change (use the new IP).
Once you login, find the DHCP server settings in the LAN settings area and turn OFF the DHCP server. Save the settings.
Now connect a cable from a LAN port on the main router to a LAN port on the new router. Make sure the cable is long enough to reach where you want the new router to be located.
Configure the wifi settings on the new router to match the ones on the old router. Same SSID (network name) and same WIFI password. Save the settings.
Now you have a second wifi access point that is connected to the existing LAN from your main router.
Because the system is no a true mesh where the two wifi access points know about each other and manage client devices together, you may have trouble where moving from the range of one access point to the other will be fiddly or slow (it will take a while for your device to 'let go' of the old access point and use the new one, or vice versa, as you move around). Should be ok though.
EDIT:
Actually, never mind. If you have 2 of that same model, look at the manual. There is a section on how to make one of them mesh with the first. Give that a shot.
