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Have you got a device that you want to connect to WiFi, but it only supports the Ethernet cable, i.e., the wired connection. Well, you can fix this pain in the biscuits easily.
If you have knowledge of how to convert WIFI to Ethernet connection, then you can easily have the benefits of a wired connection even though you have a wireless connection in your home/office.
In this article, you will know about WiFi to LAN and all the knowledge and information you need to know of this sort.
Contents
- 1) Wireless Bridge
- Benefits of Network Bridging
- 2) By Firmware
- 3) Wifi Receiver With Ethernet Output by Powerline Networking
- How to Convert Ethernet to WIFI?
- How to Share Your Computer’s Internet Connection via WiFi?
- What is an Ethernet Cable Splitter?
- Ethernet Cable vs. WIFI
How to Convert WIFI to Ethernet?
- To do this, you will need a bridge device. Its work will be to take in the WIFI signal and output an Ethernet signal. Some routers can also do the same.
- The other way to do so is to get a Firmware that will be flexible on your hardware and will allow you to achieve this.
- Another way is to use a USB WIFI adaptor.
- A WIFI station can also be quite beneficial in this case, whose job will be to convert WIFI to Ethernet.
- You can also make use of powerline networking. Powerline networking involves a wired network that consists of hidden wires.
This bridging technology is mostly used to extend the home network’s reach.
Remember one thing. Only convert the wireless connection to Ethernet if you have a robust wireless connection.
If the WIFI signals are weak, then they are of no use in this case.
1) Wireless Bridge
What is a Wireless Bridge?
A wireless bridge adapter is a device that catches in the WiFi signals and converts them into the ethernet connection. This way, you can connect the Ethernet-only devices to the network.
It is made by connecting two access points together. Doing so makes one the access point and the other one the client.
It connects two or more LAN segments, thus forming a single network. Many smart devices can be connected only with a wired connection. For example, a DVD player, TV, etc.
If your internet modem is near those devices, then there is no issue, but if that’s not the case, then connecting these devices to a wireless network can be a big issue.
The bridge works as a client, log in to the router settings, and gets the internet connection. Then it passes this connection to the device.
- It works as a wireless client mode.
- The difference is in configuring the subnets.
- In the client mode, the administrative rights to the router aren’t much necessary, but with the wireless bridge, they are much recommended to have.
- The access point bridging can be enabled by the configuration settings.
- If MAC addresses are set as the configuration parameter, then the APs can easily discover each other via this address.
Wireless Bridge Mode Option
802.11n, 802.11g, and 802.11a/b/g standards are supported for bridging.
- Open the web browser and enter your router’s IP address.
- Log in to your router options.
- There is an option of a wireless bridge mode.
- This allows you to convert WiFi to Ethernet. But this is supported in only higher-end routers.
Benefits of Network Bridging
Regarding computer networking, a bridge can be referred to as the thing that holds the responsibility of joining two networks together.
The wireless bridge device works in layer two, i.e., the data link layer.
They are used for internetworking.
Wireless to ethernet bridge is hardware by which WIFI clients can easily connect to the ethernet connection.
Some advantages of the bridge are:
a) No Need for Drivers
With the layer two switches (bridge), you can easily convert a device on an ethernet connection to a wireless network. No drivers are needed in this process.
b) Reduction in the Cable Work
Its configurations are simple and reduce the cable work.
c) Prevention of Bandwidth Wastage
It manages the incoming traffic and then stops the additional data flow between the network segments.
In this way, it prevents bandwidth waste, which increases performance in the network.
You can think of it as traffic police that controls the data flow and disallows unnecessary traffic.
Bandwidth waste slows down network performance. This is because it results in unnecessary delays in the network.
Thus the bridge works as the bandwidth monitor and increases the bandwidth by discarding the irrelevant data.
d) Links Dissimilar Network Segments
Network bridging can also connect the different network segments.
LAN segments can be easily connected with a WLAN.
e) Network Length
Bridging connects individual LAN segments.
In this way, it increases the network length.
Thus, there is no need to bring together the LAN by using a router or creating IP subnets.
No hardware equipment is needed in this process.
2) By Firmware
You can connect your Ethernet-only device to WiFi by installing a free firmware called DD-WRT.
The DD-WRT is installed in order to enhance your router’s performance by giving it more options.
a) Download the Software
Firstly, you need to go to the DD-WRT website to find if your router model supports the firmware or not. Suppose it does, then download the DD-WRT latest version.
If your router is unable to install the DD-WRT firmware, then you can get a used router like the Linksys WRT54G too.
b) Installing the Software
Before installing it, you need to do a hardware reset on your router.
Next, in the web browser, type and goto 192.168.1.1
If the control panel isn’t opened by going to 192.168.1.1, then find your router’s IP address online.
c) Changing the Wireless Mode to Switch From Wifi to Ethernet
- As of now, you have logged into the router dashboard. From the ‘wireless ‘ option, go to the basic settings.
- To connect a wired device to the internet, choose the option ‘Client Bridge’ from the wireless mode dropdown.
- This way, the router will be able to connect to the Ethernet-only device and will connect wirelessly to the other router or the modem.
- Set the same settings for the SSID, network mode, and the wireless channel as per the primary router.
3) Wifi Receiver With Ethernet Output by Powerline Networking
With powerline adapters, you can make use of the electrical wiring in your home walls for ethernet cabling.
Such adapters convert WiFi to LAN, i.e., connect the Ethernet-only devices to your home network. This way, it is also used to extend the network’s range.
Do remember that the effectiveness of the powerline networking depends on your house wiring quality too.
The steps for connecting a powerline adapter are:
- Get two powerline adapters.
- Plug one into the electrical outlet of your home that is nearer to the router.
- And plug the second one into the electricity outlet nearer to your Ethernet-only device.
- Now connect these adapters via Ethernet to the router and your device. Connect the first one to the router via Ethernet and the second one to the device via Ethernet.
Network Management Key
As powerline networking makes use of the main cable, then there can be security risks in the neighborhood of houses that use it.
To overcome this issue, a key called the network manager key is used.
Actually, the powerline adapter forms a network based on this key. It encrypts the network data and makes it secure. When you buy powerline adapters in pair, you will get them with a common NMK (Network management key).
Usually, the powerline adapters establish a connection automatically, but if that doesn’t happen, then you can initiate the pairing manually.
- To do this, put one adapter in the receptive mode. This adapter will then listen to the other one and try to connect with it.
- Then go through the same process with another adapter. These two adapters will locate each other and connect via a shared key.
- Some manufactures sell adapter with a common NMK. This way, adding them to the network becomes easier as they already have the same NMK. But it is recommended to change this NMK from the default one in order to avoid security risks.
- Also, if you remove the adapters from the main, they will still remember the key.
Advantages of Powerline Networking
- You need not do any additional wiring.
- Wiring is mostly hidden in powerline networking.
- You can have a long-range network with it.
- Also, the connection isn’t affected by obstacles.
Recommended Read:Networking Tips [Infographic]
4) Use a USB Wireless Adapter!
It is a device usually the size of a USB that is plugged into a computer. It is also called a dongle.
This is the simplest method to connect an ethernet only device to WiFi.
Wireless adapters are quite easy to set up and use. They will convert WiFi to Ethernet without any issue and in much less time.
- To do this, buy a wireless USB adapter and plug it into your device’s USB socket. Next, connect to your network.
- You can use this method on those devices only that come up with a USB port.
How to Convert Ethernet to WIFI?
You can go from Ethernet to WiFi by the methods explained below.
You can do it either by changing the network adapter priority settings or by unplugging your ethernet cable.
a) Connect to WiFi
First, connect to your network with an ethernet cable plugged into your laptop. This way, your network will remember this WiFi network.
b) Changing Priority Order
- From the menu, open settings
- You will need to get administrative access to go ahead with the process.
- Goto network and internet from settings.
- Under the ‘change your network,’ click on change adapter options.
- If you don’t find this option, then click on the Status option present on the left side window.
- Right-click on your WiFi adapter.
- Click on properties, and then you will see a menu popup.
- Select ‘internet protocol version 4’ from the list.
- Then click on the properties button present on this popup menu.
- You will see one more window.
- Go to the advanced option from the right button of this new menu popup.
- Uncheck the automatic metric box in this new popup.
- Then in the interface metric field, enter 1. This way, WiFi will be set as your default internet connection.
- Click OK. This will close the advanced TCP/IP seeing window.
- Click OK again, and the Internet protocol version window will be closed.
- Now click OK to close the windows of WiFi properties.
- As you have set your WiFi network adapter to 1 so from now on, your PC will not connect to the plugged-in Ethernet and will connect the WiFi instead.
MAC Priority Order
- Click on the apple logo.
- Goto system preferences
- Then click on the network.
- Click on the cog present in the bottom left of the window.
- Click on the set service order.
- To choose WiFi from there, drag and drop the WiFi option to the top position of the list.
- Click OK
- Then click Apply to save the change.
How to Turn a Laptop into a WiFi Hotspot?
You plug in an ethernet cable in your PC and let other devices enjoy the WiFi by turning on the hotspot on your device.
This way, your laptop will behave as a WiFi hotspot device, and you can use it to connect other devices to the internet.
- Windows 10 users can do this by doing just a few clicks.
- You can do this as long as you have the installed updates on windows 10.
- macOS users can do this by using the internet sharing feature or the built-in tools
- For Windows 7 and eight users, a program known as the virtual router will be quite helpful in this regard.
To turn on the hotspot:
- Open settings
- Then go to network & internet.
- From there got a mobile hotspot option.
How to Share Your Computer’s Internet Connection via WiFi?
Well, this is considered to be a perfect solution to share your computer’s WIFI with other devices through the ethernet cable.
You can also use this method to connect WIFI radios, X-Box, and PS3 too.
In this method, we will use ICS functionality.
What is Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)?
This is a windows service that allows a computer that has an internet connection enabled on it to share its internet with other devices through the ethernet connection.
The PC sharing the connection works as a gateway.
This means that internet traffic to the other PCs goes through this computer that shares its connection.
Method to Share WiFi From Laptop
I will explain it using Windows 7 settings.
The primary method is almost the same for all windows versions.
- From the Windows icon, type and search ‘view network connections.’
- You will see windows appear that shows the wireless connection to which you are connected.
- Right-click on your wireless internet connection from the window opened.
- Select properties.
- Goto the sharing tab.
- Then tick the first checkbox that allows other networks to connect through your internet connection.
- Then, from the drop-down just below it, select LAN.
- Press OK, and you are done with the settings
What is an Ethernet Cable Splitter?
If you want two or more PCs to use the internet simultaneously, then you can use this splitter as it can easily split a single internet connection.
You can also use it to create additional connections for other PCs in the network. Splitters improve the network, and they are pretty much easy to use. This splitter is not a hub or a switch. It is a simple device that connects a pair of ethernet cables.
This device takes a connection from two ethernet ports and then sends both connections by a single cable. In this way, the ports are connected. They are isolated, unlike those in switches and hubs.
It saves cable as it creates two traffic lanes from a single cable.
Splitters are used in pairs.
If you buy just one splitter, then it won’t work for you.
This is because the traffic that is going in and out of cables needs to be merged before going in and splitting on the other end.
How to Connect to it?
- Insert one end of this splitter into the ethernet port of the device, which provides the internet connection.
- Then, insert the cables from the device that you intend to connect to into the splitter.
- Test the connection to check if the devices are connected to the network resources or not.
Ethernet Cable vs. WIFI
So you are confused between the two. Which one to choose and which one to ignore.
- Both of them have their benefits.
- Both of them give flexibility.
- Although WIFI is more preferred by people now when it comes to speed, Ethernet serves its best.
- You can use WIFI on your Mobile, tablet, or laptop, but I bet you would prefer using an Ethernet connection on a PC.
Read: Why Is My Internet Slow and How To Fix it?
1) Speed and Data Transfer
The rate of an Ethernet connection is dependent on the type of cable you are using.
If you want to transfer files within the same area, for example, within the same house or classroom, then you would prefer an Ethernet connection over WIFI. This is because it provides amazing performance in this regard.
If you are still confused about which one to choose to try performing the same task with both WIFI and Ethernet and then check the speed.
The one which is fastest is the one you should go with.
Also, ReadWhat Speed Internet Do I Need?
2) Latency
Latency is also an important factor and is entirely reduced when using an Ethernet connection.
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To check latency, use the ping command when on WIFI and when using an Ethernet connection, and then you may see the results by yourself.
3) Interference
With WIFI, you can have the intervention.
The signals may vary from place to place. They may be good at a position but be even worst at any other. You will need to use a WiFi channel scanner to find the best channel and connect to it.
While that’s not the case with the other one.
4) Security
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Security is also an essential factor. Many people prefer WIFI but let me tell you here that you are much secured and safe while using an Ethernet connection.
This is because a WIFI connection security is low as compared to the wired ones.
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Anyone with knowledge of hacking can interfere with your connection, whereas in an Ethernet connection, only those who get benefit plug-in to the router.
Conclusion
By now, I am pretty much sure you would have good knowledge of how to convert WIFI to Ethernet, wireless to Ethernet adaptor, bridges, ports, and other related terms of this sort.
They all have made communication more accessible by providing the best possible ways for connections.
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