Bridging

Network bridging is the action taken by network equipment to create an aggregate network from either two or more communication networks, or two or more network segments.Bridging is distinct from routing which allows the networks to communicate independently as separate networks. Also, if one or more segments of the network are wireless, it is known as wireless bridging.

A network bridge is a network device that connects multiple network segments. In the OSI model bridging acts in the first two layers, below the network layer.

There are four types of network-bridging technologies: simple bridging; multiport bridging; learning, or transparent bridging; and source route bridging