A bridge router combines the functions of a bridge and a router to connect two LANs. Bridges connect LAN segments, while routers direct traffic. A bridge router is less expensive than using both a bridge and a router and provides just as good service. Most home networks use a peer-to-peer networking system and do not require a bridge.
A bridge router is a hardware device that connects two local computer networks (LANs) and directs traffic within each. In other words, a bridge router, also called a brouter, combines the functions of a bridge and a router in one device. The bridge portion is a Layer 2 network switch, a technology developed in the 1980s. Complex LANs, which are LANs with many subnets, also need a newer device, a Layer 3 network switch called a router.
Two computer LAN segments or subnets use a bridge to connect them. All computers within a subnet must use the same protocol, such as Ethernet or Token Ring, although individual segments may or may not use the same protocol. Dividing a LAN into subnets improves speed within each. It is also required if some subnets use a different protocol than others.
Without a bridge, computers on one subnet cannot communicate with computers on another. A large LAN, such as one that spans an entire company, will likely need one or more bridges. A home network, which is usually quite small, is unlikely to need it.
A router acts like a network traffic agent: it tells information packets which network path to take to reach their destination. To do this, the router maintains tables of information. These let the router know which connections lead to particular groups of addresses. It also lists the priority of each connection and the rules the router should use to handle both ordinary and special traffic.
Routers can be used to connect LANs to private wide area networks (WANs) and WANs to each other. The most common use is to connect LANs to the Internet. Using a bridge router where needed is less expensive than using both a bridge and a router and provides just as good service.
Almost everyone who connects to the Internet has a router in their home or office. It is the device that connects computers to your cable, DSL or fiber optic modem. Directs traffic from the local network to the Internet and vice versa.
A home network might have a bridge router rather than a router or wireless router. However, most home LANs use a peer-to-peer networking system to connect only a few computers, so a bridge is not needed. Most routers and router bridges have a security system that includes a firewall to protect against unwanted Internet intrusions or drive-by computer data thieves.
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