NEXPEED NR304G-4W User’s Manual
NexComm Systems, Inc. 28 PAGE
Operation Mode of the Interface
The router can operate as a bridge, as a router, or as both (sometimes call a brouter). The router
can be configured to perform general routing operation, bridging operation or bridging and routing
operation.
Overview
Routing Operation
The network protocol provides a way to route user data over different LAN and WAN
links. Routing relies on routing address tables to determine the best path for each packet
to take. Paths for remote destinations are placed in the routing table along with the
associated costs. The routing tables can also built dynamically using a routing protocol.
Routing helps to increase network capacity by localizing traffic on LAN segments. It
also provides security by isolating traffic on segmented LAN. Routing extends the reach
of networks beyond the limits of each LAN segment.
Bridging Operation
Bridging connects two or more LANs together so that all devices share the same logical
LAN segment and network number. Transparent bridging allows locally connected
devices to send frames to all devices as if they are local. It allows protocols that cannot
be routed(such as NETBIOS) to be forwarded. Bridging is useful primarily in providing
connectivity for protocols other than IP although it can be used to join segments of an IP
network. Because a bridging connection forwards packets at the hardware-address
level(link layer), it does not distinguish between protocol types, and it requires no
protocol-specific network configuration. A bridge extends the physical reach of
networks beyond the limits of each LAN segment.
Routing and Bridging Operation
The router will operate as a router for network protocols that are enabled for IP routing.
And the router will operate as a bridge for protocols that are not supported for routing.
Routing takes precedence over bridging, when routing is active, the router uses the
packet’s protocol address information to route the packet. If the protocol is not
supported, the router will use the MAC address information to forward the packet.