Network bridges and Routers

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Network bridges and Routers

A brouter or a network bridge is generally a network device, which works as a router and as a bridge. In this case, the network bridges packets for the protocols, which are known, and then simply forward the rest of the packets just like the bridge would do. Routers operate at the data link layer especially for the non-routable protocols and for the routable protocols(Perlman, 2000). Recent years has seen networks continue to become complex hence the non-routable and the routable protocols mix have led to network bridges and routers combined features need. Network Bridge can handle the non-routable and the routable features by substituting as routable protocols routers and non-routable protocols bridges (Systems 2001). The bridged protocol tends to propagate throughout the network. However, techniques including learning and filtering are important in reducing potential congestion. Generally, brouters or Network Bridge are used as devices for connecting in a networking system.In doing this, they act as a network bridge and as an intern router (Perlman, 2000).

Remote wireless bridges

A remote wireless bridge is generally a hardware component, which is essential in connecting more than two network segments. In this case, the network segment tends to be logically and physically separated. A wireless bridge is important because of its ability to cut the bandwidth by almost half. Remote wireless bridge is also convenient in that a person can pick the signal anywhere and jump online (Perlman, 2000). In this case, an individual can extend his roaming with the modern repeaters and bridges. However, the remote wireless bridge has limited security and speed especially when the signal is transmitted on air. Additionally, the remote wireless bridge is unreliable in dead spots (Perlman, 2000).

.Switches/wireless switches

Just like the remote wireless bridges, the wireless switch is also an important appliance due to its convenience.However, the wireless switch has limited security and speed in its operation hence making it insecure.

Bridging versus routing

The bridging and the routing mode present two different applications modes, which are different in terms of how they both perform their roles. In this case, the bridge mode device will tend to act as a bridge, which is transparent and operates in Layer 2 of the Mac layer while the Router mode or routing device will operate in the third Layer to perform routing(Olenewa, 2014).While the bridge mode does not block multi cast or broadcast, the router mode blocks or even provides protection against multi cast or broadcast storms. Additionally, bridging or the bridge mode plays an important role in passing the Non-IP protocols whereas the routing models only passes the IP protocol which is supported. While the bridging mode allows the PPPOE protocol to pass through, the routing model does not allow the PPPOE protocol to pass through (Olenewa, 2014).

In most cases, bridging model allows the transportation of the VLAN tagging while the routing model fails to support VLAN. Lastly, bridging models does not have network segmentation in that there is only one domain. This aspect is completely opposite of the routing model whereby there is network segmentation(Olenewa, 2014). Both the routing and the bridging models are essential in connectivity or transportation of various aspects. However, the models are not reliable in some applications hence cannot be relied upon while performing certain duties.

Reference

Olenewa, J. (2014). Guide to wireless communications. Boston, MA: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.

Perlman, R. (2000). Interconnections: Bridges, routers, switches and internetworking protocols.Reading, Mass. [u.a.: Addison-Wesley.

Systems Cisco.(2001). Internetworking troubleshooting handbook.Indianapolis: Cisco.