All network deployments are unique to their application, but there are some key feature sets that apply to ePMP Bridge mode and ePMP Router mode. The following table provides a quick reference to the capabilities of each mode's operation in the network:
|
Bridge Mode |
Router Mode |
|
Does not block broadcast or multicast traffic |
Blocks and provides protection against broadcast storms |
|
Transparent bridge and can pass non-IP protocols |
On IP protocol is supported |
|
PPPoE protocol pass-through |
No PPPoE protocol pass-through |
|
No network segmentation – only broadcast domain |
Supports network segmentation (clients can be configured on a separate IP segment) |
|
Relays DHCP client’s requests to an external DHCP server |
Can act as a DHCP server and relay which can prevent IP conflict / DHCP injection |
|
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) can be used to avoid network loops |
IP network segmentation used to prevent network loops (can be paired with other protocol-based techniques such as TTL configuration on routers external to the ePMP system) |
|
External bandwidth controller can be used to limit client speed via MAC address or IP address |
External bandwidth controller can be used to limit client speed by IP address |