What is a Network Bridge?

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
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what are you using it for?
generally they are to connect 2 different media types, like ethernet <-> USB or ethernet <-> wireless
 

flxnimprtmscl

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2003
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What I've never figured out is why XP bridged my firewire ports last install. I mean, I'm aware that they're considered network adapters but why? Yes, I am a networking noob.
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
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Originally posted by: FoBoT
what are you using it for?
generally they are to connect 2 different media types, like ethernet <-> USB or ethernet <-> wireless
When I was trying to get my USB card readder to work, I blew away stuff in the device manager under USB, and then a new icon appeared in my systray. It was two computers with a red X over them. So, I called linksys, and the lady told me to deleat it under network connections, then our call was disconnected. then I called back and the new guy would not help me. He said the network bridge was part of Windows.

 

Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
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Originally posted by: glen
Originally posted by: FoBoT
what are you using it for?
generally they are to connect 2 different media types, like ethernet <-> USB or ethernet <-> wireless
When I was trying to get my USB card readder to work, I blew away stuff in the device manager under USB, and then a new icon appeared in my systray. It was two computers with a red X over them. So, I called linksys, and the lady told me to deleat it under network connections, then our call was disconnected. then I called back and the new guy would not help me. He said the network bridge was part of Windows.


the networl bridge is teh suck, i delete em for customers all the time.
 
Aug 23, 2000
15,509
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Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
What I've never figured out is why XP bridged my firewire ports last install. I mean, I'm aware that they're considered network adapters but why? Yes, I am a networking noob.

Because Microsoft wrote XP for noobs and assumed that noobs would think of using firewire to connect their PC's because they said it was the next big thing.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
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Originally posted by: glen
Originally posted by: FoBoT
what are you using it for?
generally they are to connect 2 different media types, like ethernet <-> USB or ethernet <-> wireless
When I was trying to get my USB card readder to work, I blew away stuff in the device manager under USB, and then a new icon appeared in my systray. It was two computers with a red X over them. So, I called linksys, and the lady told me to deleat it under network connections, then our call was disconnected. then I called back and the new guy would not help me. He said the network bridge was part of Windows.

unless you are trying to connect two different network segments through this PC, i don't see why you would need or be using a bridge

does the card reader work?
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
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Originally posted by: FoBoT
Originally posted by: glen
Originally posted by: FoBoT

does the card reader work?
Nope.
It used to work, and now my PC does not see it.
I have no idea why.
I don't think I can use the Hardware Wizard to install the "driver" becasue I don't see one on the website.
What is on the website for my card reader is an auto run program that is supposed to install itself, and well, running that doesn't change anything.
 

Ness

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
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Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
What I've never figured out is why XP bridged my firewire ports last install. I mean, I'm aware that they're considered network adapters but why? Yes, I am a networking noob.

Because it can, and there probably is no harm done in doing it even if you never plan on using it that way.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
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Originally posted by: Amorphus
so the network bridge is like if you're using a computer as a router? is that it?

well, it would be like using a router , minus the routing

a bridge doesn't route

it is more like using a PC with two network devices as a 2 port switch/hub , not normally something you would do

i don't know how this relates to the card reader

i have card reader in a pc at home, when i get there in about an hour, i'll see if it has anything funky going on