Terminology » Networking Basics » Router vs. Bridge: Key Differences Explained

Router vs. Bridge: Key Differences Explained

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This article compares routers and bridges, highlighting the differences between them.

The primary distinction between a router and a bridge lies in their connectivity capabilities: a router connects various types of LANs, whereas a bridge connects LANs of the same type.

Key Differences: Router vs. Bridge

Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:

FeatureRouterBridge
AddressingUses software-configured network addresses (IP addresses)Determines the destination address using the MAC address (Ethernet address) of the device
Routing TablesEmploys routing tables to direct data to the destinationDoes not rely on other devices to transfer data; directly forwards based on MAC address
Path SelectionCommunicates with other routers to determine the optimal path for data transferMonitors network traffic using MAC addresses to identify the best path for sending data
Network ConnectivityConnects LAN and WAN linksConnects LAN links
Bandwidth UtilizationOptimized for traffic distribution across the networkFixed by algorithms like “Spanning Tree Algorithm” or “Source Routing”
WAN AccessEnables construction of complex mesh networks with point-to-point linksTypically a single port configuration
ManagementProvides statistics about specific protocolsOffers statistics on frames and bridge operations
PerformanceSimilar to bridges, but can control traffic by quenching sourcesMay experience performance degradation in high-traffic environments
Routing Protocol ExamplesTCP/IP, IPX/SPX, Apple TalkN/A
Bridge TypesN/ATransparent bridge and translational bridge

In Summary:

  • Router: A network device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers perform the “traffic directing” functions on the Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router to another through the networks that constitute the internetwork until it reaches its destination node.

  • Bridge: A network device that connects two or more network segments, creating a single, larger network. Bridges operate at the data link layer of the OSI model. Bridges learn which MAC addresses are on each segment, forwarding traffic only when the destination is on a different segment.