Bridge vs Switch- Which is the better option for home or office?
Two quality networking devices for your home or office are bridges and switches. Read on to find out which between the two ranks higher and is best suited for all your requirements.
For pros and amateurs alike, choosing between a bridge and a switch can be quite hard. On the surface, they are eerily similar as they both work as a data link layer. They do this by filtering out fata such that only a particular segment can host a transmission for fast data transfer. Choosing between these two devices also requires a keen eye on tech-specs of each.
A good bridge, for example, ought to minimize traffic all the while extending the signal. Switches on the other hand work as smaller virtual LANs with filtering capabilities. To help you find out which between the two is best suited for you, this article is an overview of both bridges and switches. While there are many testimonials out there on these devices, there is need to offer a concise view of both to know which one reign supreme eventually.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Bridge and Switch?
Model |
Bridge |
Switch (Winner) |
Types |
Three- Multiport bridge, Simple bridge and Transparent bridge
|
Two- Cut-through switch and Store-and-forward switch |
Performance |
Connects two or more local area networks (LAN) |
Connects multiple networks including servers, computers and gaming systems
|
Ports |
2-4 |
Could be up to 100 |
Bridge vs Switch- A look at how they differ
Design
A bridge is a networking device that offers a single network for multiple network segments. Simply put, it does bridging between multiple communication routers. While different brands come in all kinds of hardware design, they have common features that cut across. For instance, a wireless bridge is one which has a wireless segment or more. Bridges also allow for smooth communication between different networks.
Switch devices, on the other hand also come in a variety of designs. The TP-Link 5 port network switch for instance is made of sturdy metal with shielded ports and primarily comes in a black, sleek design. It is built unmanaged and designed for traffic optimization to ensure you experience minimal lag and buffering for all connected wired devices.
To add, it comes in a fan less design making it a good fit for a quiet environment like offices.Its Ethernet splitter common in switches allows for easy connection to your router with wired devices like gaming consoles, laptops and printers. To have the TP-Link 5-port running, it is simple with the plug and play option. The Gigabit Ethernet ports also ensure that the network capacity of the switch is at optimal levels.
Performance
Bridges are networking devices that control data flow between two connected LANs. Once you install this device in your home or office, you can be assured of minimal lags and better traffic backhaul. Bridges also work as collision domains in two parts. Switches on the other hand are utilized as connections between computer systems or workstations. They work by using the connected device’s IP address to know which device is connected to the network for optimized performance.
Bridge- Overview
Bridges come in three broad types. You can go for transparent, multiport or simple bridges. Depending on whichever you settle for, bridges often come in 2-4 ports that act as a connection between networks. While a switch can connect more networks than a bridge, bridges are still handy devices as they connect local area networks (LAN) as well as manage them.
Bridges work as the data link layer between few LANs. By doing this, a bridge extends the range and distance of networks. It also improves the reliability and performance you were already getting with your network. To add, bridges often connect two or more local area networks.
QWNET Wireless Bridge Kit
- CPE5450 WORK AT POINT-TO-POINT MODE, AT LINE OF SIGHT IS RECOMMENDED. Our product is waterproof, dust...
- 【Pratical Design】 Compatible with 802.11ac,5GHz (450Mbps max rate) radios, suitable for long range...
The QWNET CPE540 is a bridge kit that comes with as a 2-pack with all you need for stable coverage both indoors and outdoors. QWNET can deliver up to 450Mbps on its 5GHz band. This bridge is also designed with 802.11ac for faster data transfer speeds.
As to its design, it is practical and comes in a compact size that still delivers on a reliable performance even within long range. Actually, this wireless bridge can offer connection with devices up to 3KM away. All you need to do is plug and play as it comes pre-configured and ready to install. This wireless bridge is also waterproof and dust proof making it a good fit wherever you place it. In case of any mishaps, the technical support is available and professional.
Wemo Bridge
- Wemo Bridge allows you to control Wemo devices by asking Siri or using the Apple Home app from your...
- Set a custom scene or group your Wemo devices by room so that you can easily control multiple devices at...
Built to help you control your connected Wemo devices, Wemo Bridge is another quality networking Wemo Bridge allows you to control Wemo devices. You can easily do this with the Apple home app or by using Siri for voice controls. With a single command, you can have all connected devices monitored and managed. To add, it comes in a compact and sleek design that easily blends with right about any room you place it in. Keep in mind that its operating temperature is 32°F.
Compatible with the Wemo Mini, Wemo Switch and Wemo Insight Smart Plug among other devices, you can easily hook up this Wemo Bridge to your already existing network. The Apple home app also makes this easy.
Switch-Overview
Switches are networking devices that can come in two types. Depending on your needs, you can choose between a cut-through switch and a store-and-forward switch. Whichever you go for, switches can deliver on data transfers between multiple ports simultaneously. Unlike bridges that come with few ports, switches can handle up to 100 ports. In fact, you can switches can be referred to as connected/multiple bridges.
Another quality feature that cuts through on all kinds of switches is the buffer system. A switch is able to perform periodic error checks compared to bridges which do not come with buffers.
TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch (Unmanaged)
No products found.
Made of sturdy metals with shielded ports, the TP-Link 5 Port Ethernet Switch is one quality option available. It primarily comes in black making it a good fit for right about any room you place it in. It also comes with an Ethernet splitter and plug-and-play options further adding to the good features of this switch. The installation process is a breeze and you do not need any specific software or configuration settings to have it up and running.
As for its tech-features, they are specifically tweaked to bring out the best in this router. For instance, it has a power saving option which automatically senses on how to adjust the power consumption from time to time. It is also developed with traffic optimization features- QoS to ensure a smooth and stable experience.
Netgear GS810EMX Pro Gaming Switch
- ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION: 8 Gigabit ports and 2 Multi-gig/10G ports
- CONFIGURATION & CONTROL: Management software with easy-to-use GUI interface offers basic capabilities to...
With 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a sleek black design, Netgear GS810EMX is one premium quality switch. It is particularly configured to handle resource intensive tasks like online gaming and HD streaming. The Gigabit ports that are also multi-gig come in handy for fast data transfer speeds among wired devices. To add, its gaming dashboard enhances your overall gaming experience with auto-diagnostics and real-time insights.
As to its design, it has a zinc-alloy body that proves sturdy for complex environments. It also comes with an easy-to-use GUI interface that makes it easy to set-up in your home or office. The fan-less model is also power-efficient as well as useful for quiet environments like offices. Netgear GS810EMX is built to last for quite some time for versatile uses like high-resolution streaming.
TrendNet 8-Port Green Net Switch
- ETHERNET PORT INTERFACE: 8 x Gigabit Ports
- SWITCH CAPACITY: 8 gigabit ports provide high-speed network connections to devices and a 16Gbps switching...
With 16Gbps switching capacity and 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Trend Net is a switch configured to offer fast and reliable network connections to all your devices. It comes in a rather light package given its desktop design. For example, this switch has a fan-less design making it a great fit for a quiet environment like office spaces. It also comes with wall mounting options.
To add, TrendNet switch has energy saving features. It has the Green Net technology that automatically adjusts the rate of power consumption in the switch all the while not compromising on the performance of the 8 ports.
Now let’s compare these two Bridge and Switch brand models
Model |
Wemo Bridge |
TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch |
Design |
5V/1A Power and PSU 100-240V |
RJ45 ports, IEEE802.3ax, 1.5MB internal memory, DDR3 SDRAM |
Speeds |
Depends on device |
Up to 2,000Mbps |
Ports |
3.0 USB port |
5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, |
Dimensions |
5.5 x 2.5 x 5.8 inches |
3.90 x 3.90 x 1.00 inches |
Accessories |
Apple HomePlay, Siri |
Plug and Play, QoS |
Price |
Conclusion
This article has given an overview of bridges and switches. While they are both quality networking devices and of great importance in networks, they do have their own subtle differences. If you have to settle for one, consider going for switches that have added efficiency and bandwidth. To add, they are often reasonably priced but with unmatched benefits.
FAQ’s
-
How do bridges work for small networks?
Bridges are better suited as a connection between two or more LAN.
-
What is the installation process of bridges and switches?
Modern versions come with the plug-and-play option that makes installation process a breeze.
