[vox-tech] Wireless-to-ethernet bridges

[Sam Merritt]

Henry House wrote:
> I finally have no choice but to get a wireless interface for my home
> workstation. Given the difficulty with changing chipsets and poor driver
> support, I am thinking of a ethernet-to-wireless bridge, which is alleged to
> bridge a one-device ethernet network to an existing wireless network with an
> existing access point, all without any drivers on the PC. Here are two
> products, both by Linksys, that claim to do just that:
> 
> http://www.buy.com/prod/Wireless_G_Game_Adapter/q/loc/15625/10351886.html
> 
> http://www.buy.com/prod/Wireless_G_Ethernet_Bridge/q/loc/15625/10346525.html
> 
> The second is about twice the price of the first.
> 
> My questions are:
> 
> - Am I on the right track going with an ethernet bridge?

Probably. Keep in mind that it will make troubleshooting the wireless 
network more difficult since you'll be at the mercy of the bridge to 
tell you what's wrong.

Another option is to look for older wireless cards with known-supported 
chipsets. I use some Cisco Aironet 350 PCI cards that I found on Ebay.

Netgear is actually pretty good about changing the model number whenever 
they change the chipset, so (for example) the MA311 is always a Prism2 
chipset. They stick revision numbers on the end when they change 
chipset. With most other manufacturers, you're just plain screwed.

> - What reasons are there to prefer the more-expensive device? I loathe
>   wireless networking and so would prefer to spend as little as possible. I
>   am not really interested in special features.

Some access points can work in bridging mode as well; it depends on the 
model. This includes some home routers with wireless capability. You 
might be able to pick up such a device cheaply.

To find out, you will probably need to look at the manufacturer's web 
site; bridging mode is usually not well-advertised on the box or by stores.