What is WDS?

WDS stands for Wireless Distribution System. It is a special Access Pointmode that enables single-radio APs to be wirelessly connected vs.relying on connection to an Ethernet network. WDS encompasses both wireless bridging in which WDS APs communicate only with each other and don't allow wireless clients or Stations to access them, and wireless repeating in which APs communicate with each other and with wireless Stations.

The downside of the repeating mode is that wireless throughput is cut in half for each AP that data flows through before hitting the wired network.