In computer networking, a bridge connects two networks so that the networks can communicate with each other and act as a single network. As Wi-Fi and other wireless networks became more popular, the need to connect these networks to each other and to older wired networks increased. Bridges make internetwork connections possible. This wireless bridging technology consists of hardware and network protocol support.

Hardware that supports wireless network bridging includes:

In Wi-Fi networks, bridge mode allows two or more wireless access points to communicate and join their respective local networks. By default, these APs connect to an Ethernet LAN. Point-to-multipoint AP models support wireless clients while operating in bridge mode, but others can only operate point-to-point and prevent clients from connecting while in bridge-only mode; a network administrator manages this option. Some APs only support bridging with other APs from the same manufacturer or product family.

By changing a configuration option, you can enable or disable AP bridging capability if it is available. Normally, APs in bridging mode discover each other via Media Access Control addresses that must be set as configuration parameters.