Using Wireless Bridges and Routers to Connect your Multi-Building Business?

Answer 1

A common problem facing businesses which have offices in two adjacent buildings is the networking involved in connecting two computers across buildings. The use of wireless bridges and routers can quickly, easily, and securely solve this problem.

If multiple computers are set up in each building, a router is mostly likely connecting all of them together and directing the flow of traffic to and from the outside world. The first thing that needs to be done in this case is to obtain a wireless router for one of the buildings to replace the standard router already there. Once it has been installed, set it up to allow wireless signal distribution using the WPA2 encryption standard. This will ensure that your data is secure, and can be done by even the simplest of wireless routers today, including home consumer models which can be purchased for under $50.

Once the wireless signal is being put out by the first router, there needs to be a way to connect the second router to this wireless signal, linking the two networks. This is where the wireless bridge comes in. A bridge is essentially a piece of hardware that links two different network protocols together, transferring the signal through. In this case, that would be going from a wireless to wired connection, and vice versa.

A dedicated wireless bridge may be used, or a second business-grade wireless router may be set up to work as one. The details for the wireless secure connection must be inputted to the bridge, and from then on it will distribute the signal to the second router, which can then connect all of the computers in your second building to those in the first.

The advantages of using a wireless bridge to connect two offices in this way are three-fold. One, it lowers the potential cost of having to thread a cable through the walls and under or across the street. Secondly, it eliminates the possibility of network sniffing by someone plugging in a monitor between your two networks. Finally, it allows seamless networking between employees to increase productivity. Wireless bridges and routers are the solution to your networking problems.