What is the difference between a bridge and a router in wireless networks?

What is the difference between a bridge and a router in wireless networks?

• A. A bridge operates at layer 2 to join two segments.
• B. A bridge routes IP traffic between networks.
• C. A router operates at layer 2 to join segments.
• D. A router performs NAT.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the layer at which the device operates and how it handles traffic. A bridge works at the data link layer (Layer 2) and its job is to join two network segments so they behave like a single local network. It learns which MAC addresses are reachable on each side and forwards frames only to the appropriate segment, based on those MAC addresses. It doesn’t inspect IP headers or make decisions about routing between different networks, so IP addresses stay within the same LAN subnet. Routers, in contrast, work at the network layer (Layer 3) and make decisions based on IP addresses to move packets between different networks. They route IP traffic from one network to another and can perform NAT to translate addresses when crossing network boundaries. NAT is a common router feature but isn’t what defines a router. So, the statement that a bridge operates at Layer 2 to join two segments is the best description of the difference.

The main idea is the layer at which the device operates and how it handles traffic. A bridge works at the data link layer (Layer 2) and its job is to join two network segments so they behave like a single local network. It learns which MAC addresses are reachable on each side and forwards frames only to the appropriate segment, based on those MAC addresses. It doesn’t inspect IP headers or make decisions about routing between different networks, so IP addresses stay within the same LAN subnet.

Routers, in contrast, work at the network layer (Layer 3) and make decisions based on IP addresses to move packets between different networks. They route IP traffic from one network to another and can perform NAT to translate addresses when crossing network boundaries. NAT is a common router feature but isn’t what defines a router.

So, the statement that a bridge operates at Layer 2 to join two segments is the best description of the difference.