[rain.qq]

I have a small problem deciding which products I need to setup my wireless network., I'm using a Quicksilver G4 and I will be receiving a Wireless Router/Modem from Verizon soon. I'm looking for the best solution to get the Quicksilver online as it will be in a different room as the Router. I've read people recommending the Linksys WET54 Bridge, my question is.. what exactly is the difference between an Access Point, and a Bridge? I would just like to simply get my xbox 360 and G4 online through the wireless signal... just a small explanation would help out a ton.

[Tomchu]

You would use a bridge if you already have a broadband router present on your network, and you just hook the bridge up to create wireless access to that network. You would get a wireless router if you don't already have a router on your network.

The thing is that wireless routers are usually a lot cheaper than bridges, even though they do more -- and you can use a wireless router just as a simple bridge too.

I would just get the router. It's more flexible, and you might need to use it for its routiing features at some point in the future too.

[rain.qq]

Well I am getting a wireless router for my DSL... but I need to hook up my Computer and Xbox to the network comin out of that Router. my main question is.. what is the difference between a Bridge, and a Wireless Access point? On the LInksys website I see a large list of "Access points", but only 1 Bridge.

[Tomchu]

Oh, sorry ... I had a brain fart.

Replace the term "bridge" with "wireless access point" in my explanation.

A bridge is just a device that allows you to connect some wired clients to an existing wireless network. It's the opposite of an access point.

[ghporter]

Not quite opposite...more like complimentary.

An access point provides wireless connections; think of it as the master station. Wireless bridges connect to access points. Wireless routers are half wired router and half access point, so the analogy holds.

Technically, a network bridge is something that connects two different networks together. In this case, it connects a wireless network to a wired network, specifically your G4 Quicksilver. You can almost always think of wireless networking as simply an alternative to wires; the hardware is designed so you can think of it that way. The wireless bridge is simply a different kind of adapter...

Question answered? Nod hard if it's "yes!"

[rain.qq]

Thank you guys, yes I think I understand now. Wireless access point can be used to turn a normal WIRED router into a wireless router, right?

In my situation i can simply use a Bridge is what it sounds like. Bridges normally have like 4 ports or so right? Im assuming I can setup the bridge on the desk here and plug in a couple of consoles to it, and my G4..

Thanks guys