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Networking Intermediate

What is Network Bridge?

A device or software that connects two or more network segments at the data link layer, forwarding traffic based on MAC addresses.

Network bridges operate at Layer 2 (Data Link) of the OSI model, forwarding Ethernet frames between segments based on MAC address tables. They learn which devices are on which port by examining source MAC addresses of incoming frames. Bridges extend network reach while filtering traffic — frames destined for the same segment are not forwarded. In virtualization, software bridges (Linux bridge, Open vSwitch) connect virtual machines to physical networks. Docker uses bridge networks by default for container communication. Bridges differ from routers (Layer 3, IP-based forwarding) and switches (modern multi-port bridges with hardware acceleration).

Related Terms

WireGuard
A modern, lightweight VPN protocol that uses state-of-the-art cryptography and minimal code for fast, secure tunneling.
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
A protocol that maps IP addresses to physical MAC addresses on a local network segment.
Subnet
A logical division of an IP network into smaller segments to improve performance, security, and management.
Network ACL
A set of rules that control inbound and outbound traffic at the subnet level, acting as a stateless firewall in cloud and enterprise networks.
Overlay Network
A virtual network built on top of an existing physical network, enabling features like container networking and VPNs.
Latency
The time delay between sending a request and receiving a response, measured in milliseconds.
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