Wellink Corporation W202ER-4 Manual Do Utilizador
VisionNet 202ER-4 ADSL Ethernet Router User’s Guide
114
Note
Bridges vs. Routers: The essential difference between a bridge
and a router is that a router uses a higher-level protocol (such as
the IP) to determine how to pass data. IP data packets contain IP
addresses that specifically identify the destination computer.
Routers can read this information and pass the data to the
destination computer, or determine which next router to send the
data to if the destination is not on a connected network.
and a router is that a router uses a higher-level protocol (such as
the IP) to determine how to pass data. IP data packets contain IP
addresses that specifically identify the destination computer.
Routers can read this information and pass the data to the
destination computer, or determine which next router to send the
data to if the destination is not on a connected network.
Bridges cannot read or use IP information, but instead use the
manufacturer-assigned hardware IDs to determine the port
through which it should send the data packet.
manufacturer-assigned hardware IDs to determine the port
through which it should send the data packet.
Routers are considered more intelligent and flexible devices than
bridges, and often provide a variety of security and network
administration services.
bridges, and often provide a variety of security and network
administration services.
Using the Bridging Feature
Although the VisionNet 202ER-4 is preconfigured to serve as a
router for providing Internet connectivity to you LAN, there are
several instances in which you may also want to configure bridging:
router for providing Internet connectivity to you LAN, there are
several instances in which you may also want to configure bridging:
Your ISP may use protocols that require bridging with your
LAN. The device can be configured to appear as a bridge
when communicating with your ISP, while continuing to
provide router functionality for your LAN.
when communicating with your ISP, while continuing to
provide router functionality for your LAN.
Your LAN may include computers that communicate using
“layer-3” protocols other than the Internet Protocol. These
include IPX
include IPX
®
and AppleTalk
®.
. In this case, the device can
be configured to act as a bridge for packets that use these
protocols while continuing to serve as a router for IP data.
protocols while continuing to serve as a router for IP data.
In both cases, you need to specify the device’s interfaces as bridge
interfaces.
interfaces.