This article introduces two network connection modes for Huawei routers: Bridge Mode and Route Mode. If you’re not familiar with these concepts, by the end of this article you’ll definitely know how to configure both.
1. Bridge Mode
1. Bridge Mode has an official technical name: RFC1483 Bridging. The RFC1483 standard was established to enable the encapsulation and transmission of multi-protocol data packets at the network layer over ATM networks. It has been widely adopted in ATM technology and serves as the encapsulation standard for handling multi-protocol data packets on ATM networks.
2. RFC1483 emulates the bridging function of Ethernet. It performs LLC/SNAP encapsulation on network layer data packets at the data link layer. After the ADSL Modem completes RFC1483 ATM encapsulation on Ethernet frames, data packets are transparently transmitted through the PVC (Permanent Virtual Circuit) between the user end and the central office network.
ADSL RFC1483 bridging access is the most basic form of ADSL broadband access and also serves as the foundation for other access methods. Most ADSL ROUTERs leave the factory in bridging mode by default. The factory default setting for an ADSL ROUTER is as a bridge for a single computer, meaning its current working mode is set to BRIDGE ENABLE.
3. In pure bridge mode, the ADSL ROUTER acts simply as a standard bridge with relatively basic functionality. You typically need a proxy server or gateway device to aggregate LAN traffic before connecting to the external network. PPPoE dial-up software needs to run on the proxy server or gateway device. In bridge mode, the ISP can assign a fixed IP, or it can be set to obtain an IP automatically when used with dial-up software. If a fixed IP is assigned, it needs to be configured directly on the computer.
2. Route Mode
1. Route mode generally refers to when the ADSL ROUTER is in the “ROUTER ENABLE” working mode. It possesses basic routing functions such as PPPoE dialing, NAT, and RIP-1.
2. PPPoE stands for Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet.
It is based on two widely accepted standards: Local Area Network Ethernet and the PPP point-to-point dial-up protocol. In an ADSL ROUTER, when PPP packets sent from a terminal are encapsulated using the RFC1483 bridging encapsulation method (LLC/SNAP), a connection is established between the ADSL Modem and the network-side Broadband Access Server through the PVC linking both ends, enabling dynamic PPP access.
For service providers, this eliminates the need for massive investments in large-scale network overhauls or binding IP addresses to users to support leased-line services. This gives PPPoE an advantage over other protocols in broadband access services, making it the preferred choice for broadband internet access over time.
3. In route mode, the ADSL ROUTER acts as an independent system. It handles PPPoE dialing itself and performs NAT, functioning as a standalone gateway. This eliminates the need for a dedicated machine powered on as a gateway with shared internet settings, or the need for a separate broadband router. You can simply connect it to a LAN switch for shared internet access. Benefits of enabling routing:
(1) No dedicated computer is needed as a server; any computer can access the internet once turned on.
(2) The unique IP address is obtained by the ADSL ROUTER, so all external attacks are directed at the ADSL ROUTER, offering a degree of protection for the computers sharing the connection.
4. Enabling route mode on an ADSL ROUTER can eliminate the need for a proxy server, dial-up software, or a broadband router. However, due to hardware limitations, ADSL routing capability is only suitable for sharing among a few computers, such as in very small networks like homes or dorms. For enterprise environments with dozens or even hundreds of computers, ADSL routing is inadequate.
5. Significant performance differences in routing exist between