What is a Bridge in a Computer Network? | How Does It Work?

In computer networks, a Bridge works on a level called OSI layer 2 in an Intranet. These things, hardware or software, connect different parts.

What is a Bridge in a Computer Network, and What Exactly Does It Do?

Bridge devices mainly connect local area networks (LANs). But sometimes, they’re only used to link specific networks together.

However, depending on your needs, you can connect with things nearby or far away. It also uses a list of MAC addresses for each part you set up.

As per the official documents, a bridge is like a device, as explained in the IEEE 802.1D standard, right from the start.

Bridge History

As computers talked more to each other over LANs, things got trickier. People developed a special helper called a bridge device to fix these issues.

In the late 1980s, they made the bridge device to make PC nets work even better when sending info. Back then, it was important for places in different spots to talk to each other because buildings were growing. So, they made a bridge to fix these issues.

They used this device, which mainly connects two places by wires. This way, they made sure information could move from one LAN to another part. But they used MAC (Media Access Control) to do this. It helped keep info moving nicely and quickly in places with many personal PCs.

Thanks to the development of technology, these devices have also undergone some updates. For example, software-based solutions gave network devices greater flexibility. Thanks to this, the functionality of LAN bridges began to be managed through programs.

Today, they use network bridges in many workplaces. Thanks to this, they are essential in areas such as traffic control, safety, fault tolerance, and performance.

How Does the Bridge Work?

Packets can collide when a large amount of traffic is on a local area network. Therefore, it reduces LAN efficiency and slows it down. You must divide a LAN into two or more segments to reduce this ratio.

Thus, the traffic in each partition stays within its own LAN only. In this case, collisions are reduced, and performance is improved because traffic doesn’t need to travel across all PCs. In short, we use bridge devices to interconnect LANs.

Each data packet on an Intranet contains more data than an IP address. In particular, it also includes the addressing information necessary for network architecture such as Ethernet. The Bridge device checks this info from the outside. It sends the packet to the specific address on a LAN.

It then queries a learning table containing all LAN nodes’ addresses. If a bridge device discovers that a packet belongs to its LAN, it keeps the package in its current location.

If the Bridge detects that the target PC is on another LAN, it sends the packet. It then continuously updates the learning table while monitoring and routing traffic.

How Does It Connect Networks?

Bridge devices connect LANs in several different ways. For example, it uses traditional telephone lines and modems. Thus, it can interconnect networks using direct cable or serial connection from ISDN lines.

In addition, CSU/DSU units connect bridge devices to telephone lines using remote conductivity. Moreover, it sometimes includes a device called BRouter in its network configurations.

This BRouter performs the tasks of bridges and routing devices. So, if it sends data only to a particular network or other LAN, it will send them based on Ethernet.

If the target is on another LAN, it examines the IP packets. Then, the data is routed by IP address. Here, it acts as a router and connects the segments.

In short, network bridges connect two or more LANs or WANs that are physically close to each other.

What are the Benefits of Using Bridge?

The complexity of computer networks is increasing day by day. Therefore, their management and optimization are increasingly important. In this context, the bridge network device has many advantages.

1. Network Traffic Control

A bridge can control network traffic. This device allows administrators to optimize LANs more effectively. It also analyzes traffic and blocks unnecessary or harmful traffic.

2. Network Segmentation

It keeps different parts of the network apart, like separate rooms. This makes extensive LANs work better. For instance, you can create individual sections for various teams in a big office. This way, the units can work independently without getting mixed up with others.

3. Data Density Reduction

You can control how much info goes into one part of the net. This helps stop the network from getting too busy. In significant places, there can be lots of data moving around. You can make it faster by splitting the net into sections and stopping unneeded data.

4. Security Boost

Like any group, this networking device is essential for making things safer. So, it helps keep things stable by stopping unwanted traffic and people from getting in.

5. Fault Tolerance

It behaves tolerantly against the errors that may occur in the network. That is, the problem in one segment does not spread to the others. This makes your LAN more reliable.

6. Performance Improvement

In addition to increasing the network’s performance, it also controls data traffic. Thus, it enables the structure to work more efficiently.

What are the Advantages of Using Bridge?

• It is generally a cheap network device in terms of price.
• It separates the LAN sections and thus prevents collision.
• No advanced configuration is required.
• It Provides access control and LAN management.
• It can use the Spanning Tree Protocol to avoid loops.

What are the Disadvantages?

• Broadcast broadcasts have no limit.
• Not valuable for extensive networks.
• It processes the data it receives for a long time.
• It causes a loop in the network environment that is divided into multiple LANs.