Two wireless networks with one wireless card

RouterOS Wireless Networking
1

I know this is a newbie question but I cannot find what I am after.

I have a transparent WDS bridge with my RB912 which somewhat follows the Wiki article: http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Transparently_Bridge_two_Networks

My question is; is it possible to use a Virtual-AP on the 912 to connect to a nearby hotspot (non-MK gear) with the EXISTING wireless that is being used for the bridge? Essentially combining it with: http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Connect_to_an_Available_Wireless_Network

I know, a very newbie question. Or is simple approach to use the mPCIe slot and put in another wireless card?

2

Use one radio as client and other radio as ap is the only correct way how to achieve your goal. Try to avoid wds as much as possible.

3

Thanks Jarda.

WDS works well for me so I’ll keep that. I think I’ll just get another radio card and have that dedicated to connecting to the hotspot.

4

As you wish. When your traffic grows up you will need to rebuild the network as the wds will be the bottleneck.

5

Thanks Jarda. My set up is only for my household, so traffic won’t ben an issue.

So you’re saying it IS possible to share the one radio to do what I want Jarda?

6

Yes. Wds link logically behaves like separate wire. You can route or bridge it on both sides according to your needs. You can do whatever with two APs connected by wds. But it’s not smart. If you already have a 912, why not to put there additional card?

7

If you already have a 912, why not to put there additional card?

Time really, not other reason. I think I will do that when the MikroTik distributor opens after New Year and order one. Thanks for the help Jarda.

8

Ok. Keep us informed how it goes.

9

No worries.