How do I bridge two LANS together using Wireless Bridge?

[Wanabe]

We have a new building going up at work that I need to bridge to our existing main office's LAN. There will only be a few people in the new building but they will need to access files on our main server which is located in our existing office. I'm pretty sure that the two buildings are within 300ft. of one another and it's a clear line of site. In addition, the owner will have a new office in this building and wants wireless connectivity for his laptop.

I'd like to use a wireless bridge between these two buildings but I don't have much experience with wireless technology. I've been told that it can be done but need some good resources.

Does anyone know of some good online resources that can assist me in how to do this?

Thanks,
Wanabe

[mbossman2]

2 ways of accomplishing this:

1) get an access point that has a bridge mode and put one at either end. Note that in bridge mode, it may not be possible for wireless clients to connect to the access point.

2) (preferred method) get a dedicated wireless bridge with directional antennae (limits the potential of someone intercepting your signal and/or using it to access your LAN.

Once you have the wireless devices set up and functioning, then treat the workstations in that building no different than any other system in the work group (make sure that they are in the same workgroup and IP subnet).

[Wanabe]

Thanks mbossman2. You've answered some of my key questions. It sounds like if using option 1 that you might have to install a second access point that is not in bridge mode in order for clients to access the network.

Is this correct?

Thanks!
Wanabe

[mbossman2]

it depends on the specific model, but more than likely yes. I know that Cisco AP's can act in Access Point mode (and accept client card connections) or bridging mode (and accept connections from other like configured access points)

[glc]

The cheapest access points that can act as both an access point and as a bridge simultaneously are about $400 as I remember. I did a system like this and I had to get 4 Linksys WAP11's - 2 in each building, one as a bridge and the other as an access point.

[Wanabe]

Thanks glc.

This makes sense.