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An Ethernet bridge connects different segments of a network, managing data flow to reduce congestion. It overcomes limitations of Ethernet technology and can include other interfaces like Wi-Fi or power grid.
An Ethernet bridge is a type of computer networking device that connects two or more distinct segments of a network. It overcomes some inherent limitations of widely used Ethernet networking technology by actively managing the flow of data between network segments, forwarding only that data that originates on one segment and is destined for another. An Ethernet bridge reduces overall network congestion and allows you to build larger and more complex networks. Additional network interfaces can connect Ethernet segments over technologies such as Wi-Fi® and power grid.
Ethernet is the most popular standard for wired networking, found in both home and business local area networks (LANs). Ethernet-based networks can be extremely complex, connecting an entire company’s computers, printers, and other resources. The number of devices on a network and the geographic area that the network may encompass, however, are limited by some inherent characteristics of the technology. Only a single device or “node” on the network can transmit at the same time, and a greater number of nodes on a network means a greater chance of a disruptive collision where two nodes or modes send data at the same time. The electrical signals used by the technology can also degrade as cable length increases, limiting the maximum practical distance of an Ethernet cable.
To combat the limitations of Ethernet technology, different types of network devices can be used. An early device known as a repeater could extend the range of an Ethernet cable by retransmitting electrical signals, but it had no collision protection. In most modern networks, an Ethernet switch, bridge, or router can be used to separate network traffic and prevent collisions. Bridges historically only had two Ethernet ports, one for each network segment, but many manufacturers have used the terms switch and bridge interchangeably, and a bridge today can have many ports. Routers are more complex devices with advanced features.
An Ethernet bridge serves as both a demarcation point between network segments and a link between those segments. The bridge actively manages the flow of data between two or more segments, forwarding only the data coming from one segment and destined for another; communication between two nodes on the same segment will not be forwarded by the bridge. This reduces overall network congestion and allows you to build larger LANs. The bridge also retransmits the signals to prevent them from degrading over long distances.
While an Ethernet bridge by definition must include at least one Ethernet port, it can include other types of network interfaces to facilitate Ethernet bridging. At the consumer level, an Ethernet bridge could be used to connect a small network segment of home theater equipment and game consoles to the rest of the network via Wi-Fi® or by using existing power outlets and electrical wiring in a home or apartment. More powerful devices can wirelessly link an entire office with a second building several miles or kilometers away. Software programs also allow ordinary computers to be turned into an Ethernet bridge, provided the machine has more than one Ethernet port.
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