Technology Computer and Network

Title: Configuring an Access Point as a Wireless Bridge

Article ID: 4194

Linksys Wireless-G Access Points can be configured as an Access Point, Access Point Client, Wireless Repeater, and Wireless Bridge. The Wireless Bridge mode will turn the access point into a wireless bridge. Wireless clients will not be able to connect to the access point in this mode.
NOTE: When an access point is configured as a wireless bridge, it will link a wireless network to a wired network allowing you to bridge two networks with different infrastructure.



NOTE: When the WAP54G access point is set to wireless bridge mode, it will only communicate with another Linksys Wireless-G Access Point (WAP54G).
To configure an access point as a wireless bridge, you need to perform three steps:

1. Checking the Wireless MAC Address of an Access Point
2. Setting-Up Wireless Bridge Mode on the WAP54G
3. Changing the LAN IP Address of the Wireless Bridge 

Checking the Wireless MAC Address of an Access Point
NOTE: The following steps will be performed on the main access point using a wired computer.

Step 1:Connect a computer to the access point.


Step 2:Assign a static IP address on the computer. For instructions, click here.
NOTE: To assign a static IP address on a wired Mac, click here.
Step 3:
Open the access point’s web-based setup page. For instructions, click here.
NOTE: If you are using Mac to access the access point’s web-based setup page, click here.
Step 4:When the access point’s web-based setup page opens, take note of the Wireless MAC Address.


NOTE: The Wireless MAC Address you took note of will be entered on the WAP54G set as wireless repeater.
Step 5:After obtaining the wireless MAC address of the access point, configure the other WAP54G as a wireless bridge. For instructions, follow the steps below.

Setting-Up Wireless Bridge Mode on the WAP54G

Step 1:Connect a computer to the access point you want to configure as a wireless bridge.


Step 2:Assign a static IP address on the computer. For instructions, click here.
NOTE: To assign a static IP address on a wired Mac, click here.
Step 3:Open the access point’s web-based setup page. For instructions, click here.
NOTE: If you are using Mac to access the access point’s web-based setup page, click here.
Step 4:When the access point’s web-based setup page opens, click AP Mode.


NOTE: The access point’s web-based setup page may differ depending on the access point’s version number.
Step 5:Select Wireless Bridge and type the remote access point’s MAC address that you took note of earlier. 


NOTE: Remove the colons (:) when typing the MAC address on the Remote Access Point’s LAN MAC Address field.
Step 6:
Click .