Adding a Connection to the Network Bridge

To add a connection to the network bridge

1. Open Network Connections.
2. Under Network Bridge, right-click Network Bridge, and then click Properties.
3. On the General tab, under Adapters, select the check box of each adapter you want added to the bridge and then click OK.

Notes

• To open Network Connections, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.
• You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.
• You can also add a connection to the network bridge by right-clicking on the adapter and then clicking Add to Bridge. Repeat for each adapter you want to add.
• You must use Bridge Connections to create the Network Bridge before you add connections to it.
• If you do not have Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) or Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) enabled, do not create a bridge between the public Internet connection and the private network connection or add the public Internet connection to an existing Network Bridge. To do so creates an unprotected link between your network and the Internet, and leaves your network vulnerable to intrusions.
• Adapters that provide shared Internet connections, or connections that run ICF, cannot be part of the Network Bridge and will not appear under Adapters. Similarly, the Add to Bridge menu command is available only for adapters that you can add as connections to the Network Bridge.
• To enable the Network Bridge there must be at least two adapters connected to the bridge.
• Network adapters that previously appeared under LAN or High-Speed Internet, appear under Network Bridge when you add them as connections. Network adapters that provide Internet connectivity, such as DSL and cable mmodems cannot be bridged and always appear under LAN or High-Speed Internet.
• Internet Connection Sharing, Internet Connection Firewall, Discovery and Control, and Network Bridge are not available on Windows XP 64-Bit Edition.