How many types of Bridge?

Three types of bridges are used in networks:

·         Transparent bridge Derivers its name from the fact that the devices on the network are unaware of its existence. A transparent bridge does nothing except block or forward data based on the MAC address.

·         Source route bridge Used in Token Ring networks. The source route bridge derives its name from the fact that the entire path that the packet is to take through the network is embedded within the packet.

·         Translational bridge Used to convert one networking data format to another; for example, from Token Ring to Ethernet and vice versa.

Today, bridges are slowly but surely falling out of favor. Ethernet switches offer similar functionality; they can provide logical divisions, or segments, in the network. In fact, switches are sometimes referred to as multiport bridges because of the way they operate.