topic Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point in Broadband & Landline

Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:13:52 GMT

If this query should be in another forum location please advise.

Hi All.

I want to link a couple of PCs to a 2.4GHz hotspot using a BrightBox2 as a bridge and switch. There have been some articles on the forum whose links give me an unhelpful access denied page so I'm requesting help here. I'm not looking for alternative solutions just the ability to set the BB2 so it will connect to the 2.4GHz only hotspot as some form of cabling is not possible. A bonus would be for the BB2 to be able to become a local 5GHz access point.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

Mustrum — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:58:47 GMT

@PS56 have a look at the following post, it describes the process for a BB1, but you should be able to do the same on a BB2.

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Broadband-Landline/To-make-a-second-Brightbox-as-a-WAP-on-your-LAN-to-the-main/td-p/666165

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

XRaySpeX — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:38:47 GMT

No, it covers all types of Brightbox!

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

XRaySpeX — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:42:34 GMT

What exactly is the 2.4 GHz hotspot that you have?

The BB2 does both 2.4 & 5 GHz WiFi.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:54:20 GMT

Thank you but the functionality appears to be for an access point, with cabling, and not a wireless bridge. Useful article much of which till point 7 I had implemented.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

Mustrum — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:02:09 GMT

@PS56 if it is a wireless bridge you want then you will need something else.

What is it you are trying to do?

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:05:11 GMT

Using a basic Moto G3 Motorola mobile as a temporary hotspot due to house renovation. Was with EE and acquired several BB2s and spec suitable for several remote site applications once I can master the bridge functionality.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

XRaySpeX — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:18:11 GMT

Yes, it's intended to be wired but you can use mains plug-in Powerline Adapters instead.

EDIT: As your initial hotspot is a mobile phone, these won't work.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:17:23 GMT

I've used dedicated wireless bridges in the past so I know the advantages however as I have a number of BB2s I wanted to use what I already had and could afford to replace cheaply whether by theft or damage.

The idea I'm toying with once I sorted out the bridging problem is to help relatives who have a remote allotment with livestock which has had a number of thefts.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

Mustrum — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:18:52 GMT

@PS56 OK, then you will either need a wireless bridge, or perhaps a mobile router.

One way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7W7UaMNTY

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

XRaySpeX — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:24:16 GMT

This isn't gonna work. While you can connect devices to a router & use its bandwidth, you can't in reverse connect a router to a WiFi hotspot.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:24:31 GMT

The focus of my enquiry is not to seek an alternative solution but utilise the hoped for bridging functionality of the BB2. This is in part because I could be interacting elsewhere with a remote solar powered area which by definition is not mains supported.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:42:03 GMT

I'm aware that not all routers are equal and often have their functionality crippled for a particular ISP who is providing the equipment. Over twenty years ago I was blowing my own firmware but things have moved on. I was hoping that there was enough functionality in the BB2 even if it means alternative firmware bricking an example to meet my needs. Without any evidence I get the feeling that there may be a hidden menu that enables the handshaking functionality, all the hardware is there.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

PS56 — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:52:43 GMT

I was aware of this video as I also have a TalkTalk Dlink DSL 2780 but my attempts were unsuccessful and the video can be infuriating. As I have several BB2s I am hoping that the effort would be worthwhile with minimum outlay.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

XRaySpeX — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:17:57 GMT

Having seen that video there is no reason why you can't do the same with a BB2. But not with a BB2 alone. You still need to have a wireless bridge. The BB2 is not a wireless bridge.

Re: Setting up BrightBox 2 as a bridge and access point

Mustrum — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:31:58 GMT

@PS56 re the video, it uses the wireless bridge to convert the hotspot wireless signals into ethernet internet signals. The Brightbox and most routers do not have the functionality to receive wireless signals, only to transmit them.

No hidden menus are going to magickly open up a wireless receiver on the BB.

As before, a mobile router would do what you want.