Bridging versus routing (Coursework Sample)

BRIDGING VERSUS ROUTING NAME OF STUDENT NAME OF SCHOOL SUBMITTED TO DATE Bridging versus routing Introduction "Routing control protocol is essential in order to dynamically determine the topology of the network and to detect failing links. Bridging control protocols may be used similarly in smaller networks or may be used in combination with routing." Higginson & Shand (1997). Bridge and routers are applied in computer networking as they both connect two or more interrelated Local Area Networks (LAN) therefore creating an extension of the Local Area Network or a Wide Area Network. Bridges operates on MAC layer addresses and at the data link layer of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model whereas routers operate on the network control layer - third layer of the OSI model. Since routers do not have the ability to learn addresses as bridges do, they rely more on processing the data. Routers must also be aware of the protocol they serve thus have more complex configuration and installation requirements unlike bridges. Bridging versus routing Routers forward data packet across networks of different identities therefore conducting a traffic direction task within the network. They store containing source network address and destination and forward them to destination terminals – from one WAN or LAN to another. Routers find the best pat for data packets sent from previous router to them or the end station of the Local Area Network. Routers operate on the network control layer. Network control layer control flow of messages, addresses messages, sets up communication path between terminals and routes messages across intervening nodes to their destination. Unlike in bridges where they take into consideration the Media Access Control (MAC) layer addresses, routers examines the structure of the packet data based on the network information within them thus determining whether or not to forward it. The router finds the fastest route of sending the data in the most relevant format to the destination once it determines where the packet is to be sent. Therefore, for the data to be sent in the most appropriate format, the router may break or repackage the data into smaller pieces than the receiving destination can handle. On occasions where a protocol appears as unrecognizable by the router, the packet is just dropped. Non-routable protocols don’t define any recognized network information in the data packet. Routers are usually included as part of a network switch and can be located on any gateway which includes any point of presence on the internet. Being connected on two or more networks, it sends information packet between terminals based on the current status of the network in which it is connected to. Bridges connect network of similar protocols thus allowing communication between them. They operate on the second (data link) layer of the open system interconnection (OSI) model. The data link layer frames messages for transmission, establishes and error free communication path, ensures sequence of transmitted data, manages access on channel use and check integrity of received messages. While routers transmit only the relevant and required data packet to the end destination as required in the LAN, each bridge builds an internal list of addresses of all the terminals attached to the network so as to allow for communication. Every packet is checked against the internal list of the bridge and the information is forwarded if the opposite segment has the destination address or if the bridge doesn’t have the address logged. Routers have the ability to allow hosts that aren’t practically on the same logical network, to be able to communicate with each other. Every router can receive chunks of data, which are called packets, on an interface. It will then forward the data packets to the intended location in the most efficient manner. The directing, or routing, of packets is based on the routing table, by allowing routers to know where a particular network is found. Aside from being a device, a router can be software in a computer. Routers should be, at least, connected to two networks. It is sort of a gateway to another network. Functionally, it is capable of generating traffic between logically separated networks. The third layer, which is the network layer of the OSI model, is where routers operate. Understanding the OSI model is the key to figuring out differences between routers, gateways and bridges. The network layer is responsible for moving packets from a particular port to another. It is based on addresses (L3) such as, IPv4, IPv6, and IPX, or Appletalk, addresses. A bridge, or network bridge, is a device that can also connect networks, but unlike a router, i...