Types of WLAN Bridges
* Basic Ethernet-to-Wireless. This type connects directly to a single device via an Ethernet port, and then provides a connection to an wireless access point. These types of connections offer a substitute for a radio NIC; making it useful when the device, such as a printer, PC, or video game console, has an Ethernet port and no 802.11 NIC.
* Workgroup Bridges. Workgroup bridges are the answer for connecting wireless networks to larger, wired Ethernet networks. Essentially a workgroup bridge acts as a wireless client on the wireless LAN and then interfaces to a wired network. The wired side may connect directly with a single device (like an Ethernet-to-Wireless bridge) or to an Ethernet hub or switch that connects multiple devices. Generally, a workgroup bridge offers higher-end management and security utilities (with higher prices) as compared to a basic bridge.
* Access Point / Wireless Bridge Combos. Some vendors offer access points that you can configure as a bridge, but not both at the same time. Linksys has this capability in their WAP11 Access Point. This access point can operate in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint bridge mode. Like any wireless bridge, the WAP11 lets you wirelessly connect two or more Ethernet LANs together.
* Workgroup Bridges. Workgroup bridges are the answer for connecting wireless networks to larger, wired Ethernet networks. Essentially a workgroup bridge acts as a wireless client on the wireless LAN and then interfaces to a wired network. The wired side may connect directly with a single device (like an Ethernet-to-Wireless bridge) or to an Ethernet hub or switch that connects multiple devices. Generally, a workgroup bridge offers higher-end management and security utilities (with higher prices) as compared to a basic bridge.
* Access Point / Wireless Bridge Combos. Some vendors offer access points that you can configure as a bridge, but not both at the same time. Linksys has this capability in their WAP11 Access Point. This access point can operate in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint bridge mode. Like any wireless bridge, the WAP11 lets you wirelessly connect two or more Ethernet LANs together.