A device that
connects two local-area networks (LANs), or two segments of the same LAN that
use the same protocol, such as Ethernet or Token-Ring.
A bridge device
filters data traffic at a network boundary. Bridges reduce the amount of
traffic on a LAN by dividing it into two segments.
Bridges operate at
the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. Bridges inspect incoming
traffic and decide whether to forward or discard it. An Ethernet bridge, for
example, inspects each incoming Ethernet frame - including the source and
destination MAC addresses, and sometimes the frame size - in making individual
forwarding decisions.
Bridges serve a
similar function as switches, that also operate at Layer 2. Traditional
bridges, though, support one network boundary, whereas switches usually offer
four or more hardware ports. Switches are sometimes called "multi-port
bridges" for this reason.
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