interface card installed in a network node. Bridging is a simple transmission scheme and there is little software management involved in the sending of packets. Packets are simply forwarded from one node to the next.
•Routers are much more complex than bridges. Routers send packets from node to node based on IP addresses. An IP address can be viewed as a modifiable identifier that is mapped to the MAC address of network node. The IP address of a node may change dynamically or by user configuration. Therefore, there are protocols and databases on the network that must keep track of the IP address assignments for the nodes on the local area network. Other features of a router allow you to restrict the types of data packets that are allowed onto your local area network from the wide area network (WAN) and vice versa.
Where and Why to Use the
Router
The 5600 Series router supports multiple or individual users at a remote, small office or in a home office that is connected via ADSL to a central office or network service provider.
The drawing below shows several computers (network nodes) attached via Ethernet cables to an Ethernet hub at the
Remote Office, | Network Access Provider | Network Service Provider |
Home Office | (Telco or PTT) | (ISP, Corporate LAN) |
| DSL Local |
| Loop |
Hub |
|
| Backbone: |
| ATM/SONET |
| DSLAM: |
5600 ADSL | DSL termination |
| |
Router |
|
| Internet or |
| Corporate |
Remote | Network |
Access |
|
Server: |
|
routing, |
|
security |
|
8 | About the 5600 Series DSL Router | Efficient Networks, Inc. |