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Bridges & Routers: Key Players in Modern Networking
In today's interconnected world, the smooth flow of data across networks is critical. Bridges and routers are two essential networking devices that play a significant role in managing data traffic and ensuring reliable communication between devices. While both serve to connect different parts of a network, they function in distinct ways, each contributing to the overall efficiency and performance of a network.
The Role of Bridges in Networking
Bridges & Routers operate at the data link layer of the OSI model and are primarily used to connect and segment different parts of a local area network (LAN). They help reduce network congestion by filtering traffic and forwarding data only to the specific segment where it is needed. This selective forwarding helps minimize unnecessary data transmission, enhancing the network's performance. Bridges are especially useful in large networks where dividing the network into smaller segments can prevent data collisions and improve communication speed.