I've got a problem with my network setup that at first seemed pretty easy to solve, but the more I read online the more confused I get ...

I have a modem which pretty much acts as the "center of the network": DHCP server + router + WiFi AP. If only WiFi was required, I could already live with this single device as the coverage is very good in every room of the building. However, I also do have a few network devices that can only be connected to the network via Ethernet (no WiFi), like Philips Hue Bridge first generation. Unfortunately, all of those devices are too far away from the modem to simply plug them in there ...

My first attempt of a solution was to (mis)use a TP-Link TL-WA701ND\_v2 running on LEDE as some kind of "WiFi AP-bridge" (if that is the correct term), which would be a WiFi client to the modem and an AP to all WiFi network devices. A simple switch that I connected to the only Ethernet Port of the TL-WA701ND\_v2 would provide the non-WiFi-capable devices with network access. This solution did actually work, however, it required having two different WiFi networks (one from the modem, another from the TL-WA701ND\_v2). And for some reason that I don't understand, both modem and AP had to have DHCP enabled for this setup to work. Now, while this setup, albeit everything but pretty in its design, did work, unfortunately the TL-WA701ND\_v2 could only provide very poor WiFi coverage compared to the modem WiFi. So I got frustrated soon and started looking for another, better solution ...

And that's where I am right now, not quite sure what I actually need, and hoping you guys can help me.

What I want is this: <https://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/recipes/bridgedclient> One big network, including the modem and the TL-WA701ND\_v2. Both should be APs (same SSID, security settings, etc.), but only the modem should be a DHCP server. And devices, obviously, should connect to whichever AP is providing the stronger connection.

^^ Problem is, I can't seem to go with that solution since none of my devices support the legacy WDS (for Atheros chipset).

What I believe I can have is that: <https://lede-project.org/docs/user-guide/relay_configuration>

^^ Problem is, as far as I understand this setup, while the WiFi would form one big subnet, I would "lose" the LAN port on the TL-WA701ND\_v2, effectively putting all devices connected to the switch (which is connected to that LAN port) in another subnet?!

???

So, what solution do I actually need to get what I want?

PS: Please let's try to find one that doesn't involve buying new devices, and instead uses the ones I already have.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Many thanks!