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Bridging Network Connections

EvixKeth

Member
Okay, so here's the setup: Recently I built a server out of spare parts, just for messing around with. The only problem here is that the server doesn't have a wireless adapter, USB or otherwise, for it to connect to the wireless network in the house. However, it does have a standard ethernet port. I also had an old Wireless Belkin router with 3 10/100 ports. The wireless functions are shot, though. I can't get any sort of signal. So I plugged the server and my main PC into the Belkin. Now, my main PC is wirelessly connected to the main house network with internet access, and the Belkin router which is also connected to the server.

Now, unless what I'm expecting "Bridge Network Connections" to do is wrong, shouldn't I be able to bridge the wired and wireless connections on my main PC so that other PCs connected to the wireless network can see the server? For instance, my notebook computer is connected to the wireless network, but I want to access the server with it.

Here's a rough diagram, in case you're confused.

How would I make it so that the notebook can access the server?

Or should I just break down and buy a wireless G adapter for the server?

Operating Systems:
Main PC - Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Notebook - Windows XP Professional 32-bit
Server - Windows Server Enterprise 2003 32-bit

If you need any other information, just ask. 🙂
 
Yes, bridging your network connection basically makes that computer a WAP. I don't like doing that though as there's relatively no control over it.
 
Okay, so I've enabled the bridge on the main computer, but I lose internet connectivity. Do I have to configure the IP addresses manually? Because if I set it to the wireless, I lose the wired connection to my server, and if I set it to the Belkin, I lose internet connectivity.

Wireless - 192.168.1.1
Main PC on Wireless - 192.168.1.38

Belkin - 192.168.5.1
Main PC on Belkin - 192.168.5.37

If you need any other information, just ask, I'll be happy to provide. 🙂

Thanks again in advance.
 
Ahh, okay, I'll try that when I get home. Lemme guess, same subnet, right?

I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to networking. I can set up a basic network around a router, but that's about it. 😛
 
Bridging is done between two independent Networks.

Your main PC Wireless is connected to the Main Router so its IP is part of the main Router system.

In addition you main PC has a wired card this card should be on a different subnet so 192.168.5.37 is OK.

The server PC need to have some thing like 192.168.5.100 (same subnet as the wired main NIC).

The Belkin has to act as a passive Switch Not as a Router, and its core IP has to be set to 192.168.5.200

Here is another link for Bridging, http://www.microsoft.com/windo...rawford_02april22.mspx

 
I got it! With everything under the same 192.168.1.x subnet, it works. Thanks for your help, both planetalker and JackMDS.
 
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