If the SB didn't do that, the wireless interface would be required to "listen" to two MAC (Ethernet) addresses. These devices typically listen to one and only one MAC address, or they can be put in promiscuous mode to listen and receive all.
Packets are sent along the wire (or wirless) using the destination's MAC address. Ethernet devices typically listen to and pickup only packets destined for their own MAC address, and reject others. So, the wireless interface would have to check packets for both MAC address, which is less efficient. When only one interface is used, there's no issue. When both are used, packets arrive via wireless, and are forwarded to the Ethernet port. There can be many devices behind the bridge. The SB can maintain a simple MAC/IP connection table - forwarding through the bridge all that isn't destined for itself. -- MrC ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MrC's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=468 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=18251 _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
