Can I bridge an internet connection with a usb 802.11 dongle?

[crashwg]

As the title impies, I'm wondering if I can bridge a connection from an ethernet internet connection to a USB 802.11(whatever) dongle.

Reason being is that I have a PDA that is 802.11G (I believe, if not B) compliant and I can us AIM (aol instant messanger) on it at work on my lunch break but we don't have a wireless network.

I could get one of the AIMFree or whatever they're called thingies that plugs into a USB port on a computer and has a wireless PDA-like thing to talk on but I figgure, I've got the PDA already, if I can use it I might as well do so...

[crashwg]

Anybody?

[Stingray]

Sounds like it's time to experiment.

-S

[pointdablame]

you can't do it with a dongle as far as I know, but you can do it with an access point.

The access point will broadcast the wireless network and allow you to tap into the PDA.  AFAIK, a USB wireless dongle is only going to help you if there is already a wireless network set in place.

[Sephroth57]

lol, dongle

[RetroJames]

lol, dongle

I was waiting for that....

[Clonedsheep]

your waiting for dongles?

[SirPoonga]

when you say dongle you mean a usb 802.11 wireeless network card?

You can network two 802.11 devices, it's like creating the wireless version of a crossover ethernet cable.
It's called an ad hoc network.  Example, you can have your home computer, which only has a USB 802.11 card, use internet connection sharing to share internet with wireless devices.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_02april08.mspx
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13301334
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/home_av/media_servers/0,39037616,39196062,00.htm

[SirPoonga]

FYI, this is what makes alot of wireless networks insecure.  You may have a WAP secure, but if computers using the WAP are in ad hoc mode someone can still get onto the network.

[crashwg]

Thanks for the info, seems pretty easy!

As for security...  Uh, the company is in the middle of nowhere.  I mean, seriously, if you walk out the back door, you're liable to get shot during hunting season!  Plus, we don't have a single pattent on any product produced since the company formed some time in the late 70's.  No worries when it comes to security. 

[SirPoonga]

I just wanted to mention the security point for the sake of mentioning it.  most people don't think about it that wirless cards can connect directly to each other without an access point.
Of course, there are way of securing ad hoc connections too.