How to Use a Second Router as an Ethernet Bridge

Use a router as an Ethernet bridge.

Networks tend to expand, add new hosts and require additional ports over time. The cost involved in adding new ports, combined with the downtime to upgrade network switches and/or routers, can happen at inopportune times. However, if old network equipment is available, such as a router with LAN ports, you can configure a temporary solution that adds ports to the network.

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Router with integrated LAN switch ports
CAT5 crossover cable
CAT5 straight-through cable
Open Ethernet port on a network switch
Administrator username and password for the router

Instructions

- 1
  
  Plug the CAT5 straight-through cable into an Ethernet network port on the computer.
- 2
  
  Plug the other end of the CAT5 straight-through cable into a LAN port on the router.
- 3
  
  Boot the computer. Click the "Start" button, then click the "Run" box (Windows XP) or the "Start Search" box (Windows 7 or Vista). Type "cmd" and press the "Enter" key.
- 4
  
  On the command line, type "ipconfig /all" and press the "Enter" key. Note the gateway IP address listed.
- 5
  
  Open Internet Explorer and type the gateway IP address into the address bar near the top of the window. Press the "Enter" key. The router administration page will appear.
- 6
  
  Type the administrator username and password into the administration webpage and press the "Enter" key. Navigate to the DHCP service settings and disable the DHCP service.
- 7
  
  Navigate to the routing protocols page and disable any routing protocols, such as RIP or OSPF. Save the settings and then close Internet Explorer.
- 8
  
  Plug the CAT5 crossover cable into an open port on the network switch.
- 9
  
  Plug the other end of the crossover cable into an open LAN port on the router. The router is now ready to function as an Ethernet bridge.

Tips & Warnings

The procedure above assumes that the router has DHCP (the dynamic IP addressing service) enabled. If that is not the case then connect to the router using the default IP address of the router that is listed in the manufacturer's documentation.

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How to Use a Second Router as an Ethernet Bridge

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