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Glossary of Data Communications Terms
Courtesy Enterprise-Wide Computing, Inc.
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Term:
bridge
Definition:
the hardware and software necessary for two networks using
the same or similar technology to communicate; more
specifically the hardware and software necessary to link
segments of the same or similar networks at the Data Link
Layer of the OSI Reference Model, i.e., a MAC Level Bridge;
a router that connects two or more networks and forwards
packets among them. Usually, bridges operate at the
physical network level. Bridges differ from repeaters
because bridges store and forward complete packets while
repeaters forward electrical signals. A device which
forwards traffic between network segments based on datalink
layer information. These segments would have a common
network layer address. See also: gateway, router.
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