Actually, repeaters are not the same as bridges. Repeaters operate at layer 1 of the OSI model, bridges at layer 2. Hubs are multiport repeaters, and switches are multiport bridges. Repeaters were used in the days when Thicknet and Thinnet Ethernet ruled the world, and extend the cable segment.
Mike Dickson MCSE+Internet, MCDBA, CCNP, CCDP Dickson Network Designs voice (512)-422-3192 fax (512) 394-0320 www.dicksonnetworks.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Kevin Cullimore Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 4:34 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: How does repeater work? [7:36323] The classical repeater as described in the first couple of chapters of nearly every networking/internetworking technologies survey is a little before my time, but here are some thoughts: -bridges are often described as multi-port repeaters, leaving the impression that mere repeaters have but a single port (please note, that the coinage described might involve distinguishing ingress from egress ports, but that's hardly clear to the uninitiated). I suppose that an argument might be made to lend legitimacy to the practice of contrasting the prefix multi with something other than a term specifically denoting "one" or "single", but I'm not sure how relevant that will turn out to be as time erodes those cases without corroborating evidence. -to the extent that the purpose of the repeater is to extend a LAN, one might picture a device with two cables (or other data-traversing-friendly media) attached: one connected to the original network, one connected to the extension. I'm honestly not sure how else it would function. -to the extent that the characterization i've provided is accurate, it might be useful to apply bridging concepts in order to discern the functionality of the repeater. A bridge accepts packets on a given port and, by charter, does NOT transmit replicas of those packets on the same (ingress) port. I therefore picture a repeater as a device that has 2 connections: one to the original network, one to the LAN extension. If this is the case, I would presume that the relevant functionality is to perpetuate packets received on one port to the other. If that is the case, the repeater cannot be said to create a loop. Note: if a loop already exists, the repeater would perpetuate that condition, by design. All: as I mentioned, repeaters ceased to be relevant before my time. If anyone knows differently about the topics I've alluded to, please post your dissenting statement. Thanks, ----- Original Message ----- From: "mlh" To: Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2002 3:18 PM Subject: How does repeater work? [7:36323] > Could anybody tell me how repeaters work ? I don't understand how repeater > can regenerate > the two-way signals from both segment connected to the repeater. Isn't it > forming a loop? > Pls forgive me asking the stupid question. > > Thanks in advance. > > mlh Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=36372&t=36323 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
