Chapter 4: Configure the WAB-1000 as a bridge
Introduction
In the WAB-1000, wireless bridging uses a second WLAN card to set up an independent wireless bridge connection. Since wireless bridging provides a mechanism for APs to collaborate, it is possible to extend the basic service set (BSS) of a standalone AP and to connect two separate LANs without installing any cabling.
The wireless bridging function in the WAB-1000 allows you to set a number of alternate bridging configurations. We discuss some of the most popular settings in this chapter:
•Point-to-point bridging of 2 Ethernet Links
•Point-to-multipoint bridging of several Ethernet links
•Repeater mode
General bridge setup
Bridging is a function that is set up in addition to or instead of basic access point setup. If you will be using the WAB-1000 solely as a bridge, some of the settings discussed in Chapter 3 for access point use will not be necessary.
If setting up as a bridge during initial setup, you can either use the LAN Port directly wired by Ethernet cable to a laptop to set the appropriate settings, or, once you have configured wireless settings, use a laptop with a correctly configured PC Card to complete the setup using the WAB-1000's management screens. The management screens that you may need to modify, regardless of what type of bridging mode you choose, will be in the Wireless Configuration section of the navigation bar. These include:
Wireless Configuration — General
Wireless Configuration — Encryption
Wireless Configuration — MAC Address Filtering
Wireless Configuration — Bridging
Wireless Configuration — Bridging Encryption.
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