How to setup a network bridge between to homes?

Answer 1

You could set up a VPN between two distant homes. Or you could do what I did years ago and bury CAT5 cable between your house and you next door neighbors.

Answer 2

For home networks you do not need a bridge!

But if you want to do this, start with this information:

Network Bridge overview

Network Bridge provides an inexpensive and easy way to connect local area network (LAN) segments. A LAN segment is a single section of network media that connects computers. For example, suppose you have three computers: computer A, computer B, and computer C. Computer A has two Ethernet network adapters, and computers B and C have one Ethernet network adapter each. An Ethernet cable connecting A to B creates one LAN segment. Another Ethernet cable connecting A to C creates another LAN segment.

Traditionally, if you want a network with more than one segment, you have two options: routing or bridging. IP routing is a common solution for connecting network segments. However, to set up IP routing you either must buy hardware routers or set up the computers at the junctions between segments to operate as routers. IP routing requires difficult IP addressing configuration for each computer on each network segment, and each network segment must be configured as a separate subnet. IP routing is a good solution for large networks, where scalability is important, and where there is an experienced staff to configure and maintain the network. A bridge does not require difficult configurations, but you must purchase additional hardware bridges. Neither of these options are ideal if you have a home or small office network, do not want to purchase expensive bridging hardware, and do not have experienced staff to administer an IP routing network.

With Network Bridge, you can connect LAN segments by selecting the appropriate network connection icons and clicking Bridge Connections. Equally easily, you can enable the bridge and add connections to it. The network bridge manages your network segments and creates a single 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 easy to do in a single subnet IP network.

The network bridge can create connections between different types of network media. In a traditional network, if you are using mixed media types you need a separate subnet for each type of media, and packet forwarding is required for each one of the network's multiple subnets. Packet forwarding is required because different protocols are used for different types of media. Network Bridge automates the configuration required to forward information from one type of media to another.

Only one bridge can exist on a computer running Windows XP, but you can use it to bridge as many network connections as the computer can physically accommodate. For information about creating a network bridge, see Bridge Connections.

Spanning tree algorithm

Network Bridge uses the IEEE spanning tree algorithm (STA) to establish a loop-free forwarding topology. When there are multiple paths in a bridged network, loops can form and the simple forwarding rules of a bridge can cause forwarding storms, a condition in which the same frame is relayed endlessly from one bridge to another. STA provides an automated mechanism to selectively disable bridge forwarding on individual ports as necessary to ensure that the forwarding topology is loop-free. You do not need to configure Network Bridge for the spanning tree algorithm.


In todays world a Wireless Home network is best and not that expensive. Just know there are security and safe issues you need to be aware of.

There is a lot to doing this in order to do it right. I highly recommend Linksys hardware.

Using Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Setup

Basic Diagram:

+--------+
|High |
|Speed |
|Modem|
+--------+
|
+----------+
|Linksys | +------+
|WRT54G|->|PC-A|
|Router | +------+
+----------+
|
+------+
|PC-B |
+------+

Setup Procedures:

Before you start you will need some important information!!!

If you are already connected, go to the command line

Start-->Run-->cmd

Type ipconfig /all

You should see something like this:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . .... : MyComputerName
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . ..... . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . : MyDomainname.com

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : MyDomainname.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . ............... : My NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . .......... . . : Unique MAC Address
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . ........... : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . ..... : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . .............. . : 192.168.1.42
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . ............ : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . .......... . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . ........... . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . ............ . . : Unique IP Address
Primary WINS Server . . . ....... . . . : Unique IP Address

Write these down or save them someplace for future reference.

If you don't see anything like this you will need to get from
your ISP.

After you have all this information and have all your hardware
connected similar to the basic diagram above you will need to
configure your Router.

Open broswer like Internet Explorer, Firefox or some such.

In the Address box type:

http://192.168.1.1

If you get prompted for a Username and Password type these,

ADMIN/ADMIN

We will change these later.

You should be take to the Setup window for the router. Use
all of the recommended settings below. They will help you
configure your router for safe wireless use and wired use in
your home.

Whereever you see something in angle brackets <...> you must
supply. When you create a new password use both upper/lower
case letters and numbers. Write it down, memorize it, eat the
paper you wrote it on and never share with anyone. Just kidding
but you should not take this lightly. Anyone who know this
information could make it so they could hijack your Internet
connection. This could have sever legal consequences or imbaracing
at the least.

Left click the Setup tab

Internet Setup

Internet Connection Type Automatic Configuration - DHCP

Optional Settings Router Name :
Host Name :
Domain Name :
MTU : Auto
Size : 1500

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Local IP Address : 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0

DHCP Server : Enable
Starting IP Address : 192.168.1.42
Maximum Number of
DHCP Users : 2
Client Lease Time : 0 minutes (0 means one day)
Static DNS 1 : From your ISP
Static DNS 2 : From your ISP
Static DNS 3 : 0.0.0.0
WINS :

Time Zone:
(GMT-11:00) Midway Island, Samoa

Check this if it applies

Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless tab:

Wireless Network Mode : G-Only
Wireless Network Name (SSID):
Wireless Channel : 8 - 2.447GHz
Wireless SSID Broadcast : Enable

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security tab:
Firewall Protection : Enable

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Block WAN Requests Block Anonymous Internet Requests
Check it

Filter Internet NAT Redirection
Check it

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administration tab:

Router Password
Local Router Access Router Password :
Re-enter to confirm:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remote Router Access
Management : Disable

Management Port :
Use https :

UPnP
UPnP : Disable

Left click on the Save Settings button. Close the window. You should be connected to the Internet.

Have fun but be safe!

You can always email if you have questions.

Answer 3

you conncet the ethernet cable to the back of the router on the port that is marked ethernet then you take the other end of the cable to the ethernet card on on the back of your pc you conncet it to the port marked ethernet

then you conncet the other cable to the back of the ruter port that is marked DSL then you take that cable to the modem box conncet it to the port marked on the modem marked DSL
then you conncet the modem cable box to your phoneline box
conncet the power cable to the router and put the power on
now you put in the cd driver that came with your router
and you install the network drivers
now you need to set up a network id & password on the router
you will be told how to do all that when you install the drivers & software for the router
when you have install the drivers and software fo r the router
your need to restart the pc
when your back at the desktop
you will see a network icon in the taksbar by the pc time
if it has a red X on it right click it and click on enable
if you dont see a network icon in the taskbar
click on start/control panel
click on
network and internet connections
icon
then click on network connections icon
now right click the
local Area connection
icon and click on properties
tick the box
show icon in notification ares when connected
tick the box
notify me when this connection has limited or no connectivity

now click on
then authentication tab at the top

tick the box
enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for network
tick the box
authenticate as computer when infomatiion is available
then right click
local Area connection
and click on enable
now your router internet will log online with in 45 seconds
when your router is online you conncet your phoncable to the modem marked
phone

now when your router is online

now for next door

then you need to get in the router home page and click on the wireles lan icon
and you set up a network id for the laptop
and a security wpa key not a wep key dont use that one use wpa key
then you put a wireless usb adapter on the laptop you install the network drivers on the laptop for the wireless usb
then you click on the network icon in the taskbar by the time on the laptop right click on it go to properties then you click on view wireless networks then you click on advanced tab you put in the network id and security key that u set up on the router home back then you click apply & ok then you click on view wireless network's your see your network id click on that then click on conncet


if you have a wireless card in the laptop just

click on the network icon in the taskbar by the time on the laptop right click on it go to properties then you click on view wireless networks then you click on advanced tab you put in the network id and security key that u set up on the router home back then you click apply & ok then you click on view wireless network's your see your network id click on that then click on conncet

if your network cuts out at any time just right click the network icon by the pc time
and click on repair that is on the 2 computers you can do this then windows xp will repair the
network for you and it dont take long at all
if you cant set that up
your be better off if you get you (isp)server to help you set all that up