How to do bridging on router
In today's era of rapid Internet development, router bridging technology has become an important means for many homes and businesses to expand network coverage. This article will introduce in detail the steps, precautions and FAQs of router bridging to help you easily expand your network.
1. What is router bridging?

Router bridging (Bridge Mode) refers to connecting two or more routers wirelessly or wiredly to form a unified network, thereby expanding the coverage of wireless signals. The bridged routers share the same LAN, and devices can switch seamlessly between different routers.
2. Applicable scenarios for router bridging
1. Large households: When the signal coverage of a single router is insufficient, the signal range can be extended through bridging.
2. Corporate offices: Multiple floors or large spaces require unified network management.
3. Outdoor scenes: areas that require wireless signal coverage, such as courtyards and garages.
3. Router bridging steps
The following are common router bridging operation steps (taking TP-Link router as an example):
| steps | Operating Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Make sure the main router is connected to the Internet normally and restore the secondary router to factory settings. |
| 2. Log in to the management interface | Access the management address of the secondary router (such as 192.168.0.1) through a browser. |
| 3. Enable bridging function | Find the "WDS Bridging" or "Wireless Bridging" option in the wireless settings and enable it. |
| 4. Scan the main router | Search and select the wireless signal of the main router and enter the wireless password of the main router. |
| 5. Set IP address | Set the IP address of the secondary router to an address on the same network segment as the primary router but does not conflict. |
| 6. Turn off DHCP | Turn off the DHCP service in the secondary router settings and let the primary router allocate IPs. |
| 7. Save settings | Save all configurations and restart the router. |
4. Comparison of bridging settings of routers of different brands
| brand | Bridge function name | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | WDS bridging | Need to turn off the secondary route DHCP |
| Huawei | wireless relay | Support automatic switching |
| Xiaomi | wireless extension | Need to use the same brand of router |
| ASUS | Media Bridge | Support high-speed transmission |
5. Frequently Asked Questions about Bridge Routers
Q1: What should I do if the network speed becomes slower after bridging?
A: It may be caused by signal interference. It is recommended to adjust the channel or switch to the 5GHz frequency band.
Q2: The secondary router cannot connect to the main router?
A: Check whether the password is correct and ensure that the distance between the two routers is moderate (it is recommended not to exceed 30 meters).
Q3: The device cannot switch automatically after bridging?
A: Set the SSID and password of the primary and secondary routers to be the same, but the channels should be different.
6. Advantages and disadvantages of router bridging
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Extend wireless coverage | May reduce network speed |
| lower cost | The setting is more complicated |
| No wiring required | Not as stable as wired connection |
7. Alternatives to router bridging
1.Mesh networking: Professional multi-node wireless system, automatic and seamless switching.
2.power cat: Transmit network signals through power lines, suitable for environments where wiring is impossible.
3.Wireless AP: Professional-grade wireless access point suitable for enterprise environments.
8. Latest router bridging technology trends
According to recent network technology development trends, router bridging technology is developing in the following directions:
1. Smarter automatic bridge configuration
2. Support Wi-Fi 6 standard bridging function
3. The cloud management platform uniformly controls multiple bridge routers
4. Enhanced security protection mechanism
Summary:Router bridging is a cost-effective way to extend the coverage of your wireless network, and although the setup process is slightly complicated, most users can successfully implement it if they follow the correct steps. For users who pursue higher performance and stability, they can consider more advanced solutions such as Mesh networking.
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