How to set up Pi as WAP and connect as client to another WAP?

[CaptnCanary]

Hi. I've been able to set up my RaspPi 4 as a wireless access point (WAP) and connect devices to it. However, I would also like my RaspPi to connect to another RaspPi over WiFi as a client. Am I correct in thinking that this is not possible without a second WiFi module installed on the Pi? Is a WiFi dongle my best or only solution to achieve this?
Thanks
Steve

[dustnbone]

Yes you will need a second wifi radio to achieve this. The vast majority of USB wifi dongles work out of the box with Linux, but it wouldn't hurt to do a quick google search before you buy.

[dickon]

You can do this.

Code: Select all

iw phy phy0 interface add uap0 type__ap

will result in another wifi device -- uap0 -- which is configured as an AP phy. You then use hostapd to drive that device, and configure wlan0 as a client as usual.

The usual limitations apply: they have to be on the same channel, and, as a result, they share radio bandwidth and performance may well suck. I've had it working successfully, but haven't bothered to benchmark it: wifi is too dependent on the local radio conditions.

[CaptnCanary]

You can do this.

Code: Select all

iw phy phy0 interface add uap0 type__ap

will result in another wifi device -- uap0 -- which is configured as an AP phy. You then use hostapd to drive that device, and configure wlan0 as a client as usual.

The usual limitations apply: they have to be on the same channel, and, as a result, they share radio bandwidth and performance may well suck. I've had it working successfully, but haven't bothered to benchmark it: wifi is too dependent on the local radio conditions.

Are you saying I can do this and don't necessarily need another wifi dongle? I've no idea how to carry out your instructions though as I'm quite a Pi noob.
I've actually found a wifi dongle that I had anyway, so I'd like to give that I try. I've started a new thread asking for help to get that up and running. Thanks

[dickon]

Are you saying I can do this and don't necessarily need another wifi dongle?

With caveats, yes.

I've no idea how to carry out your instructions though as I'm quite a Pi noob.
I've actually found a wifi dongle that I had anyway, so I'd like to give that I try. I've started a new thread asking for help to get that up and running. Thanks

That will probably be better.