本章介绍用于,不严格地称为桥和交换机的设备,的技术。综述在这里的论题包括一般链路层设备的操作，本地和远程的桥接，ATM交换，和LAN交换。在手册第5部分"桥接和交换"的各章中将更详细地讲述具体技术。

-This article introduces the technologies employed in devices loosely referred to as bridges and switches. Topics summarized here include general link layer device operations, local and remote bridging, ATM switching, and LAN switching. Chapters in Part 5, “Bridging and Switching,” address specific technologies in more detail.