3. Bridging the Gap with AP/Bridges

Let's start by looking at combination AP/Bridges and the various ways they can be used.

NOTES:

1) Although manufacturers have somewhat standardized on the nomenclature they use to describe AP/Bridge modes, you may find that your particular product uses a different term.

2) When using the bridging functions of AP/Bridges, we recommend you use the same product at both ends of the bridge. Although you might luck out and get a wireless bridge working between two different manufacturers' products, you won't get any help if you call a vendor's support line because most companies support bridging between their products only.

3) The connection diagrams use IP addresses to help you keep track of the network segment (subnet) that a device is part of. Your IP addresses may be different!

4) Unless otherwise noted, you should set each bridge device to the same SSID (or ESSID), same channel (if offered as an option), and same WEP mode (and WEP key if WEP is enabled).

Once you select a product, you'll have to configure it. There are a number of wireless bridging modes, and as noted above, manufacturers don't always use the same terminology. But most AP/Bridges offer three modes of operation, which are described in the next sections.