802.11e

802.11c

The original 802.11 specification indicated that 802.11 gear could connect two distinct wired networks across a wireless link. (Imagine separate LANs in your home and in your detached garage, with data running between the two LANs over a wireless connection.) This is called bridging or bridge mode, and most of the newer access points can do it, with some persuasion.

The original specification was none too clear on how bridging was to be accomplished with 802.11 gear, so the IEEE assembled a task group to define it clearly. This group wrote the 802.11c specification for wireless bridging, which is complete and implemented by all but the least expensive access points. Older access points that support upgradeable firmware can often be upgraded to support bridging with 802.11c compliant firmware.

Bridging is used most often by colleges and business campuses with networks in multiple but nearby buildings. Friends and relatives living within line of sight of one another have also used bridging to connect networks in their various locations. Bridging requires fixed-position gain antennas, weatherproofed access points mounted on poles, power feeds to operate the access points, and a certain considerable amount of fooling around to make it all work. Incompatibilities between access points are the start-but not the end-of your problems! See Chapter 16 for detailed advice on creating a wireless bridge of your own.