Network Bridge Impact on Internet Access

  • Thread starter Thread starter Geoffry
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Geoffry

I have a XP machine and have DSL Access, as I was working
with the computer, I noticed a bridged network icon in
the network nework connections. I didn't see any reason
for it be there since I am not bridging a network, but
just accessing the internet through my router.

So I deleted the bridge and lost my internet connection,
I could not get internet access again until I restored
the bridge.

1. Is the bridge really needed?

2. Why, no one seems to be able to explain this to me,
I would rather not use a bridge if it is not needed.


Geoffry
 
"Geoffry" said:
I have a XP machine and have DSL Access, as I was working
with the computer, I noticed a bridged network icon in
the network nework connections. I didn't see any reason
for it be there since I am not bridging a network, but
just accessing the internet through my router.

So I deleted the bridge and lost my internet connection,
I could not get internet access again until I restored
the bridge.

1. Is the bridge really needed?

2. Why, no one seems to be able to explain this to me,
I would rather not use a bridge if it is not needed.


Geoffry
Click to expand...

The purpose of the network bridge is to join two or more physical
network adapters into one logical network. I've written a web page
with details:

XP ICS - Network Bridge
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networkbridge.htm
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Steve,

Yes, I understand what a bridge is and what it does, but
I don't understand is why my networking won't work
without the bridge installed. I am not bridging any
networks, I am just trying to access the internet through
my router.

I have two computers accessing the same router, one works
fine without a bridge and the other requires a bridge to
access the internet, or any IP address not in the
computer itself. For example I cannot access the router
admin page, unless the bridge is installed. I have no
idea how the bridge got there in the first place.

Geoffry
 
"Geoffry" said:
Steve,

Yes, I understand what a bridge is and what it does, but
I don't understand is why my networking won't work
without the bridge installed. I am not bridging any
networks, I am just trying to access the internet through
my router.

I have two computers accessing the same router, one works
fine without a bridge and the other requires a bridge to
access the internet, or any IP address not in the
computer itself. For example I cannot access the router
admin page, unless the bridge is installed. I have no
idea how the bridge got there in the first place.

Geoffry
Click to expand...

The Network Setup Wizard creates a network bridge by default when it
finds two or more active network adapters. You have to tell it not
to.

You're right -- Internet access shouldn't require the network bridge.
I recommend:

1. Deleting the network bridge.
2. Going to Device Manager and un-installing your network adapters.
3. Rebooting and letting XP re-install the network adapters.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Steve,

Thanks for hanging in with me here, but I followed the
following steps,

1. Deleted Network Bridge
2. Goto Device manager and uninstall both the ethernet
and the 1394 devices, and rebooted.

The results were:

1. XP re-installed the devices, and did not rebuild the
bridge.
2. Still no internet access. I rechecked every
parameter, and it still won't access any external IP
addresses and is stuck on the same IP address
169.xx.xx.xx as it always has been.

I can get internet access back by doing a restore which
puts the bridge back.

Any other suggestions?

Geoffry
-----Original Message-----
Click to expand...
 
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