- Wireless bridge
A wireless bridge is a hardware component used to connect two or more
network segment s (LANs or parts of a LAN) which are physically separated. [citeweb|title=Understanding Wireless LAN Bridges|url=http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1563991|publisher=wi-fiplanet.com|accessdate=2008-03-10] [citeweb|title=Wi-Fi bridge Definition: TechEncyclopedia from TechWeb|url=http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=Wi%2DFibridge|publisher=techweb.com|accessdate=2008-03-10]Many wireless routers and wireless access points offer either a "bridge" mode or a "repeater" mode, both of which perform a similar function. Wireless routers, access points, and bridges are available that utilize each of the commonly used wireless frequencies (used in the wireless-B, wireless-A (and -G), and wireless-N standards). The frequency bands for these wireless standards can be used license-free in most countries.
Wireless bridge devices work in pairs (point-to-point), one on each side of the "bridge". However, there can be many simultaneous "bridges" using one central device (
point to multipoint ). [citeweb|title=Wireless Bridge - What is Bridging Mode in Wi-Fi Networking?|url=http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessproducts/f/apbridgingmode.htm|publisher=compnetworking.about.com|accessdate=2008-03-10]During bridge setup, the wireless devices used for the bridge must be set to the same
service set identifier (SSID) andradio channel .Netbooting wirelessly
Unless a user has a wireless card with a PXE-ROM chip built into it, it is not easy to directly netboot over a wireless connection.
BIOS -based PXE algorithms usually only search for a wired NIC to be used in a PXEnetboot .It is possible to connect a "wireless bridge" (i.e. a wireless router or access point set to the "bridge" mode) to the wired NIC of a PC. The PC then netboots through the wired ethernet NIC as usual, but the data is then transmitted from the NIC to the wireless AP/router connected to it and then wirelessly "across the bridge" to a central wireless access point/router.
This solution works reasonably well but requires two wireless access points/routers (one on each side of the "bridge") making it a more expensive solution. It is sometimes, however, easier than running extra ethernet cables throughout a building.
ee also
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Network bridge References
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