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From: bobkil@ibmpcug.UUCP (Bob Kilgore)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: BRIDGE's (ROUTER's) (GATEWAY's)
Message-ID: <11146@ibmpcug.UUCP>
Date: 4 Aug 89 10:44:01 GMT
Organization: The IBM PC User Group, UK.
Lines: 49


HELLO TO ALL:

I have had for the past few weeks a one way, or 'read only'
connection to this group.  The transmit problems are now
sorted out and I can respond to some of the things I have
been reading.

First with regard to the interesting discussion on bridges,
A number of vendors were mentioned and there products
described.  One that seems to have been left in the 'bit
bucket' is SPIDER.  They manufacture and sell a full line of
remote bridges.  They are well packaged and seem to work
without any intervention, however they have a full set of
management tools that are accessible via a connector on the
bridge.  The remote bridge can be controlled via connection
to the local bridge, or 'half bridge' if you are a purist.

     Spider Systems U.S.
     12 New England Executive Park,
     Burlington, MA  01803
     (617)-270-3510


The discussion has raised an interesting point that I have
been considering for some time.  What exactly is a 'BRIDGE',
a 'ROUTER', and a 'GATEWAY'.  It seems to me that there were
definite descriptions for each of these functions.  I don't
think the description left room for a 'remote bridge'.
These terms are now in general use and I am not certain we
all know exactly what they are intended to describe.

I would like to here from anyone that has some thoughts on
this subject.  My feeling is that if we continue to let the
'marketing department' define the terms for us, none of us
will be able to understand what it is we are supposedly
talking about.  Continue the mystic of data communications.

Best Regards to all

bob
       bobkil@ibmpcug.co.uk
       !uunet!ibmpcug.co.uk!bobkil

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The views expressed above are those of the author alone and may not
represent the views of the IBM PC User Group.