bridge Vs. switch - a question

netadmin

I could not understood one difference, anyone please anwer.

Bridge is software based where Switch is hardware based (uses ASIC), why?

ASIC stands for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

EdTheLad

A switch is designed with chips which are solely used for fast switching capablility,the bridge uses software which runs on top of hardware which hence takes longer to perform the switching function.
A Switch generally has more ports then a bridge and also have more configuration possibities, a switch is generally considered as an inteligent bridge.

jd_mattos

Ed summed it up pretty well.

AceAll

I was going to post this question. Thanx for clearing my doubt as well.

Webmaster

The following Network+ TechNotes will be updated over the next couple of days, but provides some more info about the difference between bridges and switches:
www.techexams.net/technotes/networkplus/networkcomponents.shtml

blensing

ed_the_lad wrote:

A switch is designed with chips which are solely used for fast switching capablility,the bridge uses software which runs on top of hardware which hence takes longer to perform the switching function.
A Switch generally has more ports then a bridge and also have more configuration possibities, a switch is generally considered as an inteligent bridge.

A switch can also be referred to as a multiport bridge.

EdTheLad

A switch can also be referred to as a multiport bridge.

Yeah and an apple can also be called a green orange.

netadmin

ed_the_lad wrote:

A switch is designed with chips which are solely used for fast switching capablility,the bridge uses software which runs on top of hardware which hence takes longer to perform the switching function.
A Switch generally has more ports then a bridge and also have more configuration possibities, a switch is generally considered as an inteligent bridge.

Thank You, lad

Yankee

ed_the_lad wrote:

A switch can also be referred to as a multiport bridge.

Yeah and an apple can also be called a green orange.

A switch is referred to as a multiport bridge. A ways back, a bridge had one input and one output. As the technolgy advanced and needs became greater the multiport bridge or switch was developed. A switch is nothing but a more advanced multiport bridge.

Yankee

EdTheLad

Why are u quoting me? Read my inital response.Threads over, its time to move on!

blensing

Multiport bridge is what I thought. intelligent bridge is something this guy grasped out of imaginary land!!

darkuser

layer2_is_your_friend

forbesl

ed_the_lad wrote:

Why are u quoting me? Read my inital response.Threads over, its time to move on!

...and remember, ed_the_lad's word is final! Do not dispute it!

BTW, ed, read this:
http://www.linktionary.com/b/bridge.html

and

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=multiport+bridge&i=47501,00.asp

and

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/lanswtch.htm

darkuser

read some of peter welcher's stuff.
the man is a god!!!

ans a ccie # in the 1700's

http://www.netcraftsmen.net/welcher/

darkuser

this is a bridge (and the cars are packets)

http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/bridges/html/gwb.html