Re: [OT} Ap or Brigde

On Mon, 2003-08-11 at 14:37, John Andersen wrote:
> For wireless use of my Sony, I've been thinking of getting some 802.11g gear
> and was wondering about some of these products that are a Bridge vs a Router.
> 
> Historically the distinction is that Bridges offer the same subnet on
> the both sides of the bridge vs Routers that support a different
> subnet on "their side".
> 
> Since I use a couple Instant Message clients with no server
> (direct IP to IP) I need in-comming connections, which
> routers usually have a problem with.
> 
> Has anyone used these Bridge products and do they act this way?
> (same subnet on both sides?)

This probably won't help much, but i need the typing practice :)

I've used (years ago) Enterasys APs linked in bridged mode.  They are
'standard' access points that can lock to another similar unit and
create a bridge.  Yes they will replicate broadcast packets at either
end of the link so the bridge will appear completely transparent to
typical clients as it should by definition.  This also means increased
traffic if you have a few Windows machines floating around as they like
to chatter and tell everyone where they are and what they have planned
for the weekend.  The up side is you plug each end in and walk away -
nothing to change on the existing networks, assuming they utilise the
same subnet - normally just broaden the subnet mask if it isn't :)

The only reason I used these things in bridged mode was because it was a
2KM wireless link to a mate's place and we each had our own established
networks, so this was the best way to 'join' them.  It really depends
what else is happening on your wire[less] network.  If you are not
joining two existing networks together I doubt you'd have any use for a
bridge.  It's been a long time since I played with all this stuff
though, and even longer since I played with client PCs with wireless
cards so I'm far from up to scratch on what is available today.

I just had a quick scout on google and saw some Netgear 'Bridges' but
the product description neglected to call them such and only referred to
them as 'Routers'.  So I'm going to have to conceed and ask what exactly
the point of these SOHO wireless things offering bridging is?  Do they
mean bridging to another of the same unit within range, thus creating
the same effecs as MDI uplinking on a switch?  Thus the routing aspect
is to the clients and the bridging aspect is amongst themselves?

Ryan