I am using a TP-Link Archer AX4400 as my primary router and a TP-Link Archer C2300 as an extender via WDS. ....Or trying.
Following these instructions, it sets up WDS successfully and works fine. https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1084/
I can even turn the C2300 off and back on, and it successfully recreates the WDS bridge.
Great!
Problem: if I unplug the ethernet cable between my computer and the C2300, the WDS keeps working only until the C2300 is power-cycled. If I power cycle it, WDS is disabled and never enters Run status. But as soon as I connect it back up to the ethernet cable to my computer, BAM!, it's back and working.
After reading answers in the following link, I come to the conclusion that the AX4400 must somehow be associating the WDS bridge with my computer's MAC address instead of the C2300's MAC address. WDS Bridge works only the first time
Do you agree that it's an issue with ARP NAT? (whatever that is) If so, how do I fix it? I am a novice. Can I somehow clone my computer's MAC address to the C2300 to make it work? Would that make my computer start having issues connecting to the network with its same MAC address?
Or is there some other test and solution that you recommend?
Please help, but please also use simple explanations since I am over my head.
Thank you!
