5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bridge in Networking

What is Bridge ?

A Bridge is a kind of networking device that interconnects two or more networks together by dividing LAN into different segments. For this purpose it uses forwarding database or a bridge table. Unlike hubs, bridges does not simply broadcast traffic it effectively manages and it broadcasts traffic to network segments. Moreover it functions at datalink layer of the OSI model.

Who manufacturers Bridge ?

Currently manufacturers such as Linksys, Cisco and D-Link undertake manufacturing of bridges for different networks. A bridge always makes sure that the packets reach out its destination correctly. Al though bridges include many benefits, there are still many factors to consider before start using it.

In this article, I will be mentioning about 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bridge in Networking | Drawbacks & Benefits of Bridge. Through this post, you will know the pros and cons of using bridges.

Let's get started,

Advantages of Bridges

1. Network Extend

Sometimes bridges act as repeaters to extend a network. Networks with different architectures can be connected together using bridges.

2. Increased Bandwidth

Few of the nodes present on a network share a separate collision domain. For these individual nodes, bridges increases bandwidth.

3. High Reliability

Overall the network reliability is basically high in a bridge which makes it easier to maintain the network. And also network congestion can be reduced by dividing LAN into small segments.

4. Frame Buffering

Different segments uses different MAC protocols. As a result it creates frame buffers. Therefore, bridges works to interconnect different segments.

5. Protocol Transparency

Bridges generally functions at the MAC layer. This makes higher levels of protocol transparent.

Disadvantages of Bridges

1. Cost

On average a bridge costs more than the hub and repeaters. That is the reason why it is only preferred when there is LAN network traffic load. In other situations of variable data load it is advisable to use either a hub or a repeater.

2. Speed

A bridge does more buffering of frames and introduce more relays. This makes them slower compare to a repeater.

3. Network Performance

Since bridges make extra processing by viewing all of the MAC addresses, they can potentially downgrade network performance.

4. Broadcast Filtering

Bridges cannot individually filter the broadcast traffic. They simply forward broadcast packets.

5. Broadcast Storms

Another downfall of simply forwarding broadcast traffic is that they can situation known as broadcast storms. Broadcast storms are nothing but high amount of broadcast traffic.