Scribd
Upload
138 views7 pages

Chapter 6-2 - Network Components (Bridges)

Bridges operate at the data link layer to isolate network traffic and connect network segments. They examine destination addresses in frames to determine whether to forward frames to other segments using an internal bridge table. Key functions of bridges include forwarding frames to their destination segment, filtering frames destined for the local segment, and learning destinations to populate the bridge table. Although bridges are being replaced by switches, they are still commonly used to connect network segments.

Uploaded by

Afendey Arthur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
138 views7 pages

Chapter 6-2 - Network Components (Bridges)

Bridges operate at the data link layer to isolate network traffic and connect network segments. They examine destination addresses in frames to determine whether to forward frames to other segments using an internal bridge table. Key functions of bridges include forwarding frames to their destination segment, filtering frames destined for the local segment, and learning destinations to populate the bridge table. Although bridges are being replaced by switches, they are still commonly used to connect network segments.

Uploaded by

Afendey Arthur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

LESSON : BRIDGES

BRIDGES

● Bridges operate at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model, and are sometimes
called “Layer 2 devices” or “Link Layer devices.”
● These devices are used to increase the overall performance of a network by
isolating traffic within network segments. Bridges are also used to provide
connectivity across a wide area.
● Although the popularity of bridges has diminished because of the widespread use
of switches, they are still commonly found in today’s computer networks.

KeyPoint: Bridges use frame addresses to make bridging decision.


BRIDGE FUNCTIONALITY

● The operation of a bridge requires both hardware and software.


● A bridge listens to all traffic on its connected network segments,
examines the destination NIC address of each incoming frame, and
uses an internal table of ports and destination addresses to decide
whether to forward a frame to the rest of the network.
THREE IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF
BRIDGE:
● Forwarding – If the frame’s destination address is on a different segment
than its source, the bridge sends the frame only to the port connected to that
segment.
● Filtering – If the incoming frame is destined for a device on the same port
where the frame was generated, the bridge does not forward the frame to
any other ports. All nodes on the originating segment have already received
the frame.
● Learning – The bridge automatically builds and maintains its own bridge
table, by noting the source address of incoming frames. If a frame is
addressed to a destination not yet recorded in the table, the bridge
broadcasts the frame to all ports.
BRIDGE TABLE DIAGRAM
● The Bridge Table Diagram illustrates how
a bridge uses its bridge table to
determine where to forward a frame.
● When an incoming frame arrives with a
destination address of ADR1, the bridge
checks its table and finds that the
destination is on the segment attached to
Port 3.
● If a frame is received with a destination
address of ADR3, the bridge forwards
the frame to Port 1, which is connected
to the segment that contains the
destination address.
● A frame may also have a special type of
destination address, called a “broadcast
address.” This address simply means “send
to all nodes,” thus when a bridge receives a
frame with a broadcast address, it also
transmits the frame to all ports.
● Bridges operate on frame headers and have
no regard for the content of the frame, as
shown on the OSI and Bridges Diagram.
● Bridges are completely transparent to the
Network Layer and above, because data
from those layers is encapsulated within the
frame header and trailer.
● For example, a bridge could link LANs with
nodes that use different upper layer
protocols.
TYPES OF BRIDGES

● Bridges come in many shapes and sizes. The simplest bridges are adapter
cards (NICs) in a personal computer (PC) that attach to small LAN
segments. The most elaborate bridges convert frames from one type to
another, and/or deliver frames over long distances at very high speeds.
● Bridges offer many advantages and are still commonly found in computer
networks. However, they can from traffic bottlenecks, because they can only
forward traffic between one pair of ports at a time. Also, their operation is
software-intensive and fairly slow. Thus, bridges are largely being replaced
by a faster and more efficient Layer 2 device, the switch.

You might also like