Creating network bridges is a common task in network management, allowing multiple network interfaces to communicate as if they are on the same network. While "bridge design" typically refers to the construction of physical or virtual network bridges, we can adapt this concept for a Windows environment by focusing on creating network bridges using Windows features and tools.

Examples:

Example 1: Creating a Network Bridge Using the GUI

1. Open Network Connections:

   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
   • Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.

2. Select Network Adapters:

   • Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the network adapters you want to include in the bridge.

3. Create the Bridge:

   • Right-click on one of the selected adapters.
   • Choose "Bridge Connections" from the context menu.

4. Verify the Bridge:

   • A new network bridge will appear in the Network Connections window.
   • You can configure the bridge by right-clicking on it and selecting "Properties."

Example 2: Creating a Network Bridge Using PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   • Press Win + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)."

2. List Network Adapters:

   • Run the following command to list all network adapters:

     Get-NetAdapter

3. Create the Bridge:

   • Identify the names of the network adapters you want to bridge. For example, if the adapters are named "Ethernet" and "Wi-Fi," use the following command:

     New-NetSwitchTeam -Name "NetworkBridge" -TeamMembers "Ethernet","Wi-Fi"

4. Verify the Bridge:

   • Run the following command to verify the bridge creation:

     Get-NetSwitchTeam

Example 3: Creating a Network Bridge Using Command Line

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Press Win + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)."

2. List Network Adapters:

   • Run the following command to list all network adapters:

     netsh interface show interface

3. Create the Bridge:

   • Identify the names of the network adapters you want to bridge. For example, if the adapters are named "Ethernet" and "Wi-Fi," use the following commands:

     netsh bridge set adapter "Ethernet" enable
     netsh bridge set adapter "Wi-Fi" enable

4. Verify the Bridge:

   • Run the following command to verify the bridge creation:

     netsh bridge show adapter

Conclusion

Creating a network bridge in Windows can be done through the GUI, PowerShell, or Command Prompt. Each method provides a way to combine multiple network interfaces into a single bridge, facilitating seamless network communication.