Posted by
biancoaod on Friday, September 19, 2008 5:31:00 AM
* 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.