What Is Bridge Mode? The Pros, Cons and a Setup Tutorial

December 23, 2021 By Nick Anderson No Comments 7 minutes

Bridge mode is a router setting that bridges the communications between two networks. Meaning, it enables the networks of two different devices to communicate as if they were a single network. After setting up the router bridge mode, you can leverage an extended WiFi range, an optimized traffic flow, and more.

What is Bridge Mode

Yes, this might sound too techy–but fret not! This guide will walk you through a simplified introduction to what is bridge mode, the pros and cons of it, how to set up bridge mode and the FAQs.

Note: By combining router with bridge mode with a VPN, you can enhance your network’s security and functionality. However, you must use a reliable and router-compatible VPN, like FastestVPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, masks your IP address, and allows you to bypass geo-restrictions. This is especially beneficial when using public Wi-Fi networks, as it provides an added layer of protection against potential threats.

Get FastestVPN

What is Bridge Mode?

Bridge mode is a router’s network configuration setting that you can enable to bridge over 2 networks for bridged communications between both, as if they’re the same network. To make it simpler, let’s take the example of The Bridge of the Americas.

A router with wireless bridge point to point works like a physical bridge with the same goal, i.e., a simplified connection through a wireless bridge. Like The Bridge of the Americas, where 2 continents are connecting, a router’s wireless bridge also enables you to connect 2 or more networks for simpler communications as if they’re both from the same router.

The common use cases of a WiFi wireless bridge mode are:

Connecting multiple networks
Extending network range
Connecting devices to a wired network

While these are only the use cases, the benefits stretch longer than these. However, there are a few disadvantages to the bridge mode as well, which we will discuss in the upcoming sections.

Why Use Bridge Point?

As mentioned, a bridge point connects different networks on the same router. Think of it like different networks connecting together at some point, making them look the same, or just like a physical bridge. But why would you really use that? Here are the 5 reasons why use wifi wireless bridge:

1. WiFi Network Expansion

A router with wireless bridge point to point helps extend your WiFi network’s range because you’re connecting different routers. Meaning all routers and their specific coverage network fall into the same pool.

2. Creates a Unified Network

Since different networks connect together, they form a unified network. This is mostly helpful for larger organizations or building with one primary network and others later merging via a wireless bridge point to point.

3. Improved Network Performance

A wifi wireless bridge enhances the network traffic flow, lowering latency and boosting overall performance. This is particularly helpful for tasks like online gaming or video streaming.

4. Simplified Network Management

Centralizing network management allows settings configuration, traffic monitoring, and a centralized troubleshooting process.

5. Reuse Existing Hardware

Instead of spending on new routers and other hardware to support a single network, a unified network connection reduces the need for additional hardware because it’s all supported by a centralized router, bridging them all together.

How to Set Up Bridge Mode?

Interfaces differ between router manufacturers; thus, navigation is also different. But we’ll give you a general direction of what you need to do to set up wireless bridge point to point in the router. We’ll be using the case of setting up at your house. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to set up bridge mode.

Connect the first router with the internet connection in your home. This will be the primary router, and other routers will act as secondary routers that can be used to increase the Wi-Fi range.
Go to your router’s admin panel.
Check the router’s back for the default gateway and the credentials for the admin panel.
Look for the option for bridge mode. Enable it.
Connect the second router wirelessly to the primary router’s access point.
Disable the DHCP server if it’s enabled.

You’ve successfully set up bridge mode; the second router will now act as an extension of the first router.

What Happens After Enabling Bridge Mode?

A router with wifi wireless bridge transforms your device into a network extender. But what happens after enabling wireless bridge point to point? Here’s a breakdown:

1. Connection to the Main Router

The wireless bridge point to point connects all secondary network connections to a primary network. This way, there’s a link between the 2 connected devices.

2. Network Expansion

When connected, the router in bridge mode starts broadcasting its own Wi-Fi signal, expanding your network’s coverage. This allows you to experience a stronger Wi-Fi signal in areas where it was previously weak or unavailable.

3. Shared Network Resources

Devices connected to the bridge mode router have the same access to the internet and network resources as those connected to the main router. They can also share files, printers, and other network services. Meaning, you can print out a document without running to the floor’s printer.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Bridge Mode

Now that you know about bridge mode, ways to set it up, and what happens after enabling the bridge mode, you might be planning to enable wireless bridge point to point. But before doing that, here’s a list of the advantages and disadvantages to consider:

Advantages of Bridge Mode	Disadvantages of Bridge Mode
Adding another router can expand your network’s coverage to reach further areas.	Bridge mode disables functions like NAT, firewall, and QoS, impacting security and network control.
Bridge mode allows you to use various router models together. It offers flexibility in equipment.	Configuring wifi wireless bridge can be challenging, especially with varied IP ranges or network settings.
A wifi wireless bridge can streamline network setup by reducing the need for separate configurations.	Some ISPs may not fully support wifi wireless bridge, potentially causing connection issues.
By bypassing some routing functions, wifi wireless bridge may improve data transfer speeds in certain cases.	Connecting two routers in bridge mode with NAT can lead to network conflicts and connectivity problems.

How to Turn Off Bridge Mode?

Here are 7 ways to turn off bridge mode:

Linksys

Open the Linksys app.
Go to the menu, choose Advanced Settings.
Find Internet Settings > Connection Type.
Choose Disable Bridge Mode.

Xfinity

On a device connected to your home network.
Open a browser and go to the Admin Tool at http://10.0.0.1.
Ensure the device is connected to your gateway via Ethernet.

Google Nest

Open the Google Home app > Favorites > Wi-Fi Settings > Advanced Networking.
Choose Network Mode for your Wi-Fi router or point, and choose NAT (standard) mode.
Select Save.

Rogers Xfinity Gateway

Go to Gateway, select At a Glance.
Next to Bridge Mode, and choose Disable to turn the bridge off.

Modem/Router Combo Device

Press the power button or unplug and reconnect the device.

Cox Router

Log in to the Admin Tool and go to Gateway.
Select At a Glance, and set Bridge Mode to Disable.

Factory Reset

Performing a factory reset will disable bridge mode by restoring the Wi-Fi router to its default settings.

FAQs - Bridge Mode

What is Bridge mode on router?

A wireless bridge point to point on router is the connection between different networks to extend the existing network range. Simply put, bridge mode merges the networks as if they’re all coming from the same router.

What is bridge mode on router?

The router to set in wireless bridge point to point should be the one that isn’t handling routing tasks.

What is bridge mode Linksys?

A wireless bridge point to point on a Linksys router disables its Wi-Fi broadcast. Moreover, it allows it to act as a bridge between a network and another Wi-Fi router.

What are the disadvantages of bridge mode?

Here are the 4 disadvantages of wireless bridge point to point:

Bridge mode disables functions like NAT, firewall, and QoS, impacting security and network control.
Configuring bridge mode can be challenging, especially with varied IP ranges or network settings.
Some ISPs may not fully support bridge mode, potentially causing connection issues.
Connecting two routers in bridge mode with NAT can lead to network conflicts and connectivity problems.

What is the difference between router and bridge mode?

In "router mode," the router operates as the main gateway to the internet, handling network traffic and assigning IP addresses to devices. Whereas, "bridge mode" disables most of the router's functions, making it a simple connection point between two networks, with another router serving as the primary network manager. Essentially, a router separates networks, while a bridge connects them into one.

Wrapping Up

A wireless bridge point to point expands the WiFi network, simplifies network expansion, improves performance, and reduces hardware cost. This is mostly helpful for larger organizations where a centralized network is essential.

While the wireless bridge point to point extends your WiFi network’s reach, configuring the WiFi router with FastestVPN can help elevate security standards. Doing so will enable you to bypass geo-restrictions and leverage improved privacy security. Since your WiFi router is configured with the VPN, you don’t need to connect from your mobile device constantly.