The use of bridges in local area networks

It has been suggested that bridges, usually viewed as a method of connecting local area networks (LANs), have untapped potential for improving LAN performance and management. To understand the full potential of this device, the author explores the uses of bridges in various configurations, breaking up a network into subsets. LAN performance gains that are possible by using bridges to segment an Ethernet- or StarLAN-based network are discussed. Segmentation is stressed as an option which will allow the end user to realize all benefits provided by a bridge. It is concluded that the key benefits of segmenting a network are twofold: to increase the network performance by partitioning traffic and reducing the number of collisions, and to isolate faults to network segments and hence increase the reliability, availability, and serviceability of a network