On Wed, Aug 12, 1998 at 03:04:37AM -0700, Erik E. Fair wrote:
> There are two kinds of bridge:

My terminology is different, so for me there are three kinds.

> 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.

This is a Repeater. (May operate at layer 1 or layer 2)

> 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.

This is a bridge.

This same box, with the Mac learning done in hardware, is a "switch".

							David