Bridge

TRANSPARENT BRIDGES

Also called learning bridges
Build a table of MAC addresses as frames arrive
Ethernet networks use transparent bridges
Token Ring  networks use source-routing bridges

ADVANTAGES

• Extend physical network
• Reduce network traffic with minor segmentation
• Creates separate collision domains
• Reduce collisions
• Connect different architecture

DISADVANTAGES

• Slower than repeaters due to filtering
• Do not filter broadcasts
• More expensive than repeaters