Chapter 15 / 15.2

15.2 INTERCONNECTION DEVICES AND LAYERED BOUNDARIES

As computer networks increased in size and complexity, increasingly sophisticated devices were developed to interconnect network segments and extend communication beyond a single local network. These devices operate at different layers of the protocol architecture, each making forwarding decisions based on progressively richer information. Understanding their operation illustrates both the evolution of networking technology and the practical significance of the layered communication model.