On Aug 12,  3:04am, "Erik E. Fair" wrote:
}
} There are two kinds of bridge:
} 
} 1. standard, boring, old bridge that stores and forwards all packets in
} both directions - traditionally used to extend an Ethernet beyond its 1km
} maximum cable length. No one makes 'em like this any more.

     Digital and Allied Telesyn International do.  The Digital ones
are extremely expensive.  The ATI ones run about $2500CDN retail.

} 2. a "learning bridge" also known as a "switch" - it pays attention to
} which Ethernet devices are on which wire, and does not forward local
} conversations (packets between two stations on the same wire). Still must
} forward all broadcasts, multicasts, and non-local packets.

     I usually think of a switch as a bridge with a lot of ports (8+).

}-- End of excerpt from "Erik E. Fair"