Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a technology that allows you to expand the coverage area of a wireless network by combining several WiFi access points into a single network without the need for a wired connection between them (which is mandatory with the traditional network construction scheme). A distinctive feature of the technology compared to other solutions is the preservation of the MAC addresses of network clients.
An access point in a WDS network can operate as a primary, relay, or remote base station .
The main base stations are usually connected to a wired network, the remote base stations are used to connect wireless network clients, and the relay stations are used to connect the main and remote stations, acting as an amplifier and signal repeater.
All WDS network base stations must be configured to use the same frequency, encryption method, and encryption key. At the same time, different SSIDs are allowed.
WDS can provide two modes for connecting access points:
- Wireless bridge mode, where devices (WDS APs) communicate with each other and do not provide access to other wireless stations or clients.
- Wireless Repeater / Repeater.
The negative sides of WDS:
- network bandwidth drops to 50% compared with a normal connection;
- WiFi speed decreases as one channel is used for connecting points;
- compatibility issue between different manufacturers;
- the channel number must always be constant;
- outdated equipment supports WEP encryption only (most modern Wi-Fi routers support WDS when using WPA encryption).
Positive aspects of WDS:
- lack of a wired connection between Wi-Fi access points;
- Saving MAC addresses of network clients.