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Bridging connections on Windows XP
The network bridge allows you to connect network segments by selecting the appropriate network
connection and bridging them together. The network bridge manages your network segments, and
creates a single IP subnet for the entire network. There is no configuration required, and you do not
need to purchase additional hardware such as routers or bridges. IP addressing, address allocation,
and name resolution is highly simplified in a single subnet IP network.
Only one bridge may exist on a Windows XP computer, but it can be used to bridge as many different
network connections as the computer can physically accommodate.
To create a bridged connection on Windows XP
Before you begin make sure you are logged on to the computer as an administrator.
1. From the Windows desktop select Start
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Under LAN or High-Speed Internet select each of the private network connections that you want
to be part of the bridge.
You must select at least two eligible network connections in order for Bridge Connections
to create a bridge.
4. Right-click one of the highlighted private network connections, and select Bridge Connections.
You can create only one network bridge on a computer, but the bridge can accommodate any number
of network connections.
Caution:
Do not use this method to share a corporate network connection without first agreeing upon
security procedures with the network administrator.
Notes:
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Advanced wireless LAN features
•
Adapters that have Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) or Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)
enabled cannot be part of the network bridge and will not appear on the Network Bridge
checklist. Similarly, the Add to Bridge menu command is available only for adapters that
you can add as connections to Network Bridge.
•
Only Ethernet, IEEE-1394 adapters, or Ethernet compatible adapters such as wireless
and home phone line adapters (HPNA), can be part of the network bridge.
•
Do not create a bridge between the public Internet connection and the private network
connection, or add the public Internet connection to an existing network bridge, if you
do not have ICF or Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) enabled. To do so will create
an unprotected link between your network and the Internet, and your network will be
vulnerable to intrusions.
•
If you remove adapters from the network bridge, and less than two adapters remain,
Network Bridge will not perform its intended function, but it will continue to use
system resources.
•
Network adapters that previously appeared under LAN or High-Speed Internet, appear
under Network Bridge when they are added as connections. Network adapters that provide
Internet connectivity, such as DSL and cable modems, cannot be bridged and will always
appear under LAN or High-Speed Internet.
•
Network bridges with wireless or IEEE-1394 connections support traffic using Internet
Protocol version 4 (IPv4) only.
Control Panel.
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