| | Networks : Interconnections | 
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Sometimes a number of LANs can be connected together to make a WAN. For example a company with LANs in each of its offices might choose to connect all these LANs together to make a WAN. If this is done then the workers at the different offices will be able to share information across the network. To connect two networks together one of two pieces of hardware is required :
| Bridge | If the two networks are of the same type they can be connected together using a bridge. The bridge simply copies data that is being transmitted from one network onto the other. |
| Gateway | If the networks are of different types then the job of passing data between them is more complicated. Data that is sent from one network to the other will need to be converted from the format that is used on the sending network into the format that is used on the receiving network. This job is done by a gateway. |
There is no limit to the number of networks you can connect together in this way. In the example below three networks are connected together. Note that computers on Subnet A can talk to computers on Subnet C by sending messages through Subnet B.
In complex network such as the Internet there are many different routes that data could be sent down to travel from one computer or subnet to another. Devices called routers are used to determine what route to send data along.
GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004