What Is Network Bridging?

What is Network Bridge?

Network Bridge is a network device used to connect two network segments together. It is also called a Layer 2 switch and operates at the data link layer, or second layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model.

By connecting two separate networks, the bridge can act as a repeater, allowing data transmission to occur between them. Bridges can be used to simplify the structure of a network by logically separating it into two or more parts.

How Does a Network Bridge Work?

A bridge works by using a switching algorithm to identify which computer on one side of the bridge is trying to communicate with a computer on the other side. This is done by observing the MAC (Media Access Control) address that is used for each device in the network.

The network bridge can then forward the traffic from one segment of the network to the other without having to send it through the router. This helps reduce network congestion and increases the network's overall performance.

Advantages of Network Bridges

• Reduces the amount of traffic sent through the router, resulting in higher speeds and less congestion.
• Can increase the security of the network.
• In large networks, bridges can help reduce complexity by logically separating the network into smaller parts.

Disadvantages of Network Bridges

• Bridges have limited scalability, as they can only support a certain number of connected devices.
• Bridges are not suitable for large networks or complex communication patterns.

Overall, network bridges can be a useful tool for simplifying and optimizing your network. By separating different parts of the network, you can improve both performance and security.