Wireless Workgroup Bridges

Similar to and often confused with wireless bridges are wireless workgroup bridges (WGB). The biggest difference between a bridge and a workgroup bridge is that the workgroup bridge is a client device. A wireless workgroup bridge is capable of aggregating multiple wired LAN client devices into one collective wireless LAN client.

In the association table on an access point, a workgroup bridge will appear in the table as a single client device. The MAC addresses of devices behind the workgroup bridge will not be seen on the access point. Workgroup bridges are especially useful in environments with mobile classrooms, mobile offices, or even remote campus buildings where a small group of users need access into the main network. Bridges can be used for this type of functionality, but if an access point rather than a bridge is in place at the central site, then using a workgroup bridge prevents the administrator from having to buy an additional bridge for the central site.


In an indoor environment in which a group of users is physically separated from the main body of network users, a workgroup bridge can be ideal for connecting the entire group back into the main network wirelessly. Additionally, workgroup bridges may have protocol filtering capabilities allowing the administrator to control traffic across the wireless link.

Common Options
Because the wireless workgroup bridge is a type of bridge, many of the options that you will find in a bridge – MAC and protocol filtering, fixed or detachable antennas, variable power output, and varied types of wired connectivity – are also found in a workgroup bridge. There is a limit to the number of stations that may use the workgroup bridge from the wired segment. This number ranges between 8 and 128 depending on the manufacturer. Use of more than about 30 clients over the wireless segment is likely to cause throughput to drop to a point at which users might feel that the wireless link is simply too slow to adequately perform their job tasks.

Configuration and Management
The methods used to access, configure, and manage a wireless workgroup bridge are similar to those of a wireless bridge: console, telnet, HTTP, SNMP support, or custom configuration and management software. Workgroup bridges are configured for a default IP address from the manufacturer, but can be changed either by accessing the unit via console port, web browser, telnet, or custom software application. The administrator can reset the device to factory defaults by using the hardware reset button on the device.