On Sun, 2006-01-29 at 20:14 -0600, Les Mikesell wrote: > On Sun, 2006-01-29 at 19:36, Jeff Vian wrote: > > > > > An AP is not the same as a hub/switch. It is actually a router. > > That's kind of confusing. An AP is really more like a switch but > connecting the LAN to wireless devices. However it is often > integrated into a router which also provides WAN/LAN routing. > > > In order for the WAN port to be on the same network as the LAN side it > > must be able to function in a bridge mode instead of routing. > > In the router models, the AP normally bridges with the LAN > while the WAN is routed. > On all the different models I have used (D-link, LinkSys, Netgear, among others), the LAN (wired and wireless) side is a switch, *not bridged*. Lets be sure the proper terminology is used here. Bridging gives two or more physical ports (usually limited to two) the same IP address, and makes it transparent to other machines unless something is sent explicitly to that address. The physical network segment on both sides is 'bridged' and it becomes one contiguous network. Anything addressed to another IP address than the local one is simply passed through - totally transparent. Routing keeps both sides distinct separate networks and only passes packets through if they are destined for something on the other side of the router. A switch or hub is simply a connection point on a single network. No bridging or routing is involved. HTH Jeff
