3Com 2500 manual Bridging And Routing In The, Lanplex System

3	BRIDGING AND ROUTING IN THE
	LANPLEX® SYSTEM

This chapter shows how the LANplex® system operates in a subnetworked routing environment and describes the LANplex routing methodology — specifically, how the LANplex bridging and routing model compares with traditional models.

What Is Routing? Routing is the process of distributing packets over potentially dissimilar networks. A router (also called a gateway) is the machine that accomplishes this task. Routers are typically used to:

■Connect enterprise networks together

■Connect subnetworks (or client/server networks) to the enterprise network Figure 3-1 shows where routers are typically used in a network.

The LANplex system performs routing that connects subnets to the enterprise network, providing connectivity between devices within a workgroup, department, or building.