History

• According to Wi-Fi Planet, LAN bridges have been in use for decades to connect wired networks to each other. Older wired bridges have multiple ports in the back that allow the physical connection of two or more Ethernet connections running in from different LANs. Wireless bridges eliminate the requirement of wired connections running to the bridge.
  
  

Features

• A wireless bridge features built-in wireless capabilities. This allows the bridge router to connect to other wireless routers connected to two or more wired Ethernet connections. The bridge is designed, so it accepts data packets from one end of the connection, verifies that the other Ethernet router is authorized to accept, and then allows both routers to communicate wirelessly.
  
  

Types

• There are three types of wireless bridges, also known as WLANs for wireless local area networks.
  
  Basic Ethernet-to-wireless bridges are devices that allow devices that lack a wireless card to connect directly to a wireless network. They connect directly to the device's Ethernet port and a nearby access point.
  
  Workgroup bridges can be used for larger-scale LAN connections. For example a workgroup bridge might be placed at one end of a building, with another bridge placed across from it in the next building. They can be connected directly to Ethernet connections or wireless-access points.
  
  Wireless bridge/access point combination devices can serve as either a wireless access point or as a bridge. It can not perform both roles at the same time, however. It can be connected directly to a modem or Ethernet connection.
  
  Remote bridges are a subcategory of bridges used to describe connecting multiple networks between separate locations not connected by wired Ethernet.
  
  

Misconceptions

• A wireless access point is not the same thing as a wireless bridge. According to the website Wi-Fi Planet, an access point allows multiple users to connect to one single wireless access point. A wireless bridge allows different wired networks to connect and communicate over the bridge. An access point does not allow another network to connect.
  
  

Size

• The physical size of a wireless bridge device can range in size from a deck of cards up to devices that are the size of desktop computer.
  
  The number of bridges used to connect multiple LANs can vary depending on how many different networks that there are. For example a company that has four buildings located next to each other would have at least four different LANs set up. This set up would require six bridges to connect all of the buildings.
  
  

Cost

• A basic wireless bridge costs around $115. A full featured workgroup bridge can range in price from $349 to $629. Wireless access points and wireless routers cost about $60 dollars apiece.
  
  

Cost