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Difference between how a router and a bridge function

Could you differentiate how the router and bridge function in detail for me please? I always get confused with the two. Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

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A bridge is a device that connects and passes packets between two network segments that use the same communications protocol. Bridges operate at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI reference model. A bridge will filter, forward or flood an incoming frame based on the MAC address of that frame.

A router is an intelligent connecting device that can send packets to the correct LAN segment to take them to their destination. Routers link LAN segments at the network layer of the OSI Reference Model for computer to computer communications. The networks connected by routers can use similar or different networking protocols. The most popular interior routing protocol is OSPF and the most popular exterior routing protocol is BGP.

This was first published in August 2002

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