Operation via an existing Wi-Fi/router network

Cross-network signal tunneling across IP and subnet boundaries

If digital switching signals need to be transmitted via existing data center infrastructures, separate subnets, or over dedicated VPN lines, routing is handled by routers. Both WLAN-IO devices log into the local network as WLAN participants. One device acts as the server, while the other device actively establishes the connection via the router as the client.

Box to Box via router

What you’ll need:

Two WLAN-IO Digital 4x In/Out (Article No. 97733)

An existing Wi-Fi infrastructure (access points and routers)

Step-by-Step configuration guide

Click on the images to enlarge!

1. Connect to the existing Wi-Fi network (both devices)

Under WLAN navigate to “The WLAN-IO connects to a Wi-Fi network as a client.”
Select the desired Wi-Fi network from your infrastructure and enter the WPA2 key.
Important for routing: When configuring a static IP address, be sure to enter your local router’s IP address as Standard-Gateway so that data packets can leave the subnet.

Configuring the Inputs and Outputs (Setting the I/O Direction)
The 4 digital channels of the WLAN-IO Digital can be flexibly configured as inputs or outputs. In the web interface, under IOs select the desired operating mode for each channel:

Complementary assignment: Every channel defined as an input on Device A must be configured as an output on Device B, and vice versa.
Example of bidirectional mixed operation:
Device A: IO 0, IO 1, and IO 2 as Input, IO 3 as Output.
Device B: IO 0, IO 1, and IO 2 as Output, IO 3 as Input.
Applying the settings: After assigning the direction, apply the configuration via Save.

2. Configure the Box-to-Box server (Device A – Server)

In the Box-to-Box menu enable the function on Device A and select the option Server.
Set the local TCP port (for example, 49157). Make sure this port is open for incoming traffic in your local firewall or router.


Enable IO channels: Check the boxes for tunneling next to the desired channels. Only inputs that are actively enabled will be transmitted, and only enabled outputs can be switched by the other side. Then click on Save.

3. Set up the Box-to-Box client and establish a connection (Device B – Client)

Enable Box-to-Box on Device B and select the option Client. Since the client is actively connecting, it needs the exact destination address behind the router.
In the field IP Address enter the server’s IP address (Device A, e.g., 192.168.0.80) or the public WAN IP address of the remote router (for port forwarding).
Enter the server’s TCP port (49157).


Enable IO channels: On the client, also select the appropriate checkboxes for the inputs and outputs you want to mirror. Click Save. The client now establishes a connection to the server.

4. Check for an active connection during diagnostics (Device B – Client)

  • As soon as the connection is successfully established, the diagnostic system reports that it is active.
  • The green information bar on the client interface confirms: “The WLAN-IO is connected to the Box-to-Box server.”

Troubleshooting & Diagnosis for Connection Loss

If packets are blocked by the router or the connection is lost across networks, the built-in monitoring system is triggered: A red exclamation point appears next to the three horizontal lines in the main menu at the top left.
Open the menu and follow the red text to the incorrect setting to view the diagnostic details.
On the Diagnostics menu page the yellow warning bar clearly reports: “The box-to-box connection has not been established.” If you encounter this error, check whether the default gateway is configured correctly and whether the TCP port is being blocked by routers or firewalls along the path.

#97733 WLAN-IO Digital 4x In/Out

#57737 Ready for Box to Box

#57151 Ready for Box to Box

#57738 Ready for Box to Box

#57730 Ready for Box to Box

#57150 Ready for Box to Box

Get Started - Order A Trial Version For 30 Days.

Try our products from Wiesemann & Theis free of charge for 30 days by writing in the note of the order: Want to test the product.
If you do not wish to make use of your right of return within 30 days, simply pay the accompanying invoice. Free shipping in Denmark.