"Wireless Bridge" vs "Wireless Access Point"

Hi All,

I've got an existing wireless network in my house in my house based on
a Netgear combined modem/router/wap. This works fine, but I have one
computer which only has an ethernet port and can't be upgraded which
I'd like to use on the wireless network.

My research so far seems to suggest that I need to buy a wireless
bridge such as
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/62228/rb/26054918976
but then I discovered this:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/97221
which has confused me about the difference between an access point and
a bridge. Can I use an access point to achieve what I need? There seem
to be a few of these around which are cheaper than the bridges...

Thanks,
Adam

On 13 Mar 2007 09:53:56 -0700, news@snowstone.org.uk wrote in
<1173804836.312680.265340@c51g2000cwc.googlegroups .com>:

>I've got an existing wireless network in my house in my house based on
>a Netgear combined modem/router/wap. This works fine, but I have one
>computer which only has an ethernet port and can't be upgraded which
>I'd like to use on the wireless network.

What you need is a wireless Ethernet [client] bridge; e.g.,
Buffalo Wireless-G High Power Ethernet Converter WLI-TX4-G54HP
(recommended).

>My research so far seems to suggest that I need to buy a wireless
>bridge such as
>http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/62228/rb/26054918976
>but then I discovered this:
>http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/97221
>which has confused me about the difference between an access point and
>a bridge. Can I use an access point to achieve what I need? There seem
>to be a few of these around which are cheaper than the bridges...

An access point is a _host_, and won't do what you want.
You need a _client_ bridge.
(Some access points can be switched to client bridge mode,
but most cannot.)

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

news@snowstone.org.uk hath wroth:

>I've got an existing wireless network in my house in my house based on
>a Netgear combined modem/router/wap. This works fine, but I have one
>computer which only has an ethernet port and can't be upgraded which
>I'd like to use on the wireless network.

What you need is an "ethernet client bridge". See the FAQ at:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Bridge>
for definitions and:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Ethernet_Bridges>
for specific models. Not all listed will work so check the data sheet
first.

>My research so far seems to suggest that I need to buy a wireless
>bridge such as
>http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/62228/rb/26054918976
>but then I discovered this:
>http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/97221

See John's answer for the correct Buffalo model.

>which has confused me about the difference between an access point and
>a bridge.

Join the club of confused users. *ALL* wireless is bridging.
Therefore everything is technically called a wireless bridge. From
that point, marketing hype and a fertile imagination have conspired to
create considerable confusion. Look for the word "client" and you'll
probably do fine.

>Can I use an access point to achieve what I need?

Maybe. Some model access points and wireless routers have a client
mode that will work. It really depends on the model.

>There seem
>to be a few of these around which are cheaper than the bridges...

In general, wireless routers are cheaper than access points and client
bridges because far more of them are sold.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Thanks Jeff, John, that's helped. :) I'll see what I can find...

Adam