SG Broadband Community

First off id like to say hello to everyone since I’m new and this is my first post


Alright to the problem at hand I looked all over the net and couldn’t find anything out there for a question
I have about Network Bridges


Software Bridge vs. Hardware Bridge


I have a router with all my pc's and consoles hooked up but I ran out of ports

So my laptop isn’t on the Network
It’s not a big deal since I only use it from time to time to write

Stuff on and then take with me but sometimes id like the net on it for some research
Anyway buying another switch just for one laptop I feel would be ridiculous (but that's just my opinion)

So then I started looking into network bridging and found that
Windows XP Operating system has the
Ability to Bridge two LAN connections

Only thing I'm worried about is by using a software bridge
Won’t major performance be lost?

Download speeds and upload speeds would probably be terrible wouldn’t they?
Not that upload speeds would matter
But that's not the point I'm trying to make lol...

I would also like to know the advantages/disadvantages of both
Software Bridges and the Hardware Bridges

Anyway so what are everyone’s thoughts on this mumbo jumbo of mine?
Should I go with this built in feature of Windows XP

Or should I be considering buying something like this below

Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WET54G

I've heard great things about it already but

Since I noticed there’s alot more to bridging then I Thought
I figured maybe I could find a real guru on networking out there to give me
Some real good INFO thanks for reading everyone

Using Windows ICS....it's clunky...if you want good reliability and simplicity..yes purchase another switch (cheapest), or get a wireless access point to add to your current router (more expensive)...or better yet...purchase a new wireless router to replace your current router (often cheaper than getting just a wireless access point).

Laptop should equal mobility, so why not shoot for wireless.

Yeah that's the problem this laptop believe it or not didn't come with any built in wireless capability and on top of that the port I used to use to connect wireless networks

is shot a piece of metal inside broke loose and screwed it up real bad so my only option is a wired connection

I’m going with the bridge.

I should note that I dock it out-front in the living room so yeah mobility is nice but not needed indoors lol…

So I'm hoping I can find all the info I need vs. a Software bridge and Hardware Bridge

Using a new router would be pointless for me but thanks for the reply

buy a switch, most routers only have 100mb ports anyhow.