28 April 2020

Difference between Bridge and Gateway

Bridge and gateway both are backbone devices of networking. The main key difference between a bridge and gateway is that, bridge is used only to transfer the frame to the expected destination, in the most efficient path. While the gateway converts the format of the packet in one protocol to the format of the packet in another protocol. Here this article gives information about the difference between bridge and router to better understand this topic.

Definition of the Bridge:

A bridge is used to regenerate the signal and it will find the most efficient path to transmit the frame. A bridge is always operating on the frame. Bridge operates on the physical layer and data link layer. The bridge can divide a large network into smaller segments and is also used to connect two originally separated LANs. The purpose of the bridge is to transmit the frame between two separate LANs. 

Definition of Gateway:

A gateway is used to increase the compatibility to establish communication between two networks using two different protocols. A gateway operates or works as a protocol converter.  A gateway operates on packets. The gateway can accept and transfer the packet across the network using a different protocol. A gateway is a software that will be installed within a router. It operates on all layers of the OSI model.

Difference between bridge and gateway are listed below:


  • Bridgework in the data link layer and physical layer, While the gateway work in at all OSI layer.
  • Bridge connects two different LANs, While gateway converts the protocol.
  • In bridge, data or information is in the form of a packet, Whereas in the gateway, data or information is also in the form of a packet.
  • Bridge connects two different LANs working on the same protocol. While the gateway will settle for and transfer the packets across networks employing a completely different protocol.
  • While the use, bridge format of the packet is not changed, While in the gateway, the format of the packet is changed.
  • A bridge always operates pm frames, and gateway operates on packets.
  • The bridge is always used to generate the signal and find the most efficient path to transmit the frame. A gateway is used to increases the compatibility to establish communication between two networks using two different protocols.
  • The bridge is not installed in router, While the gateway is installed in a router.
  • Bridge checks the destination address on the receiver frame and forwards the frame to the address it belongs, while the gateway allows two different networks using different protocols to communicate with each other.