To connect at least two computers with a single wireless network bridge, first and foremost, you have to install each computer with an adapter. After this, run CAT5 cables to connect all of them to a switch or a hub. Your chosen computer to use with bridging will come with two kinds of inserted adapters in its mainboard: one regular LAN adapter, which should already be inside, and one wireless network adapter, which will help make a connection to your wireless access point (WAP).

After installing and connecting these network adapters, use your intended bridging computer to open the Control Panel and then go to Network Connections. Keep in mind that to create your wireless network bridge, a minimum of two connections will be needed for various processes. Such processes would be internet sharing (ICS) and internet firewall (ICF).

Once you are inside the folder of Network Connections, you should see a ton of connections. Every connection is actually every one of the network cards: one is for the wireless card, while the other is for the wired card. Open your wireless adapter’s connection and visit the details panel. This should show that it works perfectly. Now, it would be advisable to check your Ethernet connection, too; this should work perfectly, too. Now you simply have to click on both of these connections simultaneously – which can be done by selecting every connection while holding the Ctrl key – and then right-click on any connection to select the submenu of Bridge Connections. After configuring this bridge connection, a window to Network Connection should be seen.

ICF and ICS

ICF and ICS might be needed in several cases. Regardless of the reason, you will require a third adapter first. So, if you do need ICF or ICS, you will need to go to a local store for computer hardware to get a brand new adapter card. But even if you have three adapters, this task would be quite tricky. Making a bridge in this manner would require you to bridge before actually enabling a single one of them.

You could always make use of the setup wizard when it comes to such tasks; however, the overall order would be imperative. You first need to use its setup wizard in order to make a bridge before enabling ICF or ICS. The wizard will then search for an online connection and attempt to configure this. Lastly, if you want, you can bridge several more network cards, which are connected onto the network.

By: Alex D Smith