> >
> > I do not know much about the specifics of the bridging code in
> > Linux. However, in general, a bridge goes through a process called
> > 'learning' whereby they listen but do not forward frames on each side
> > of the link. The idea is to know what systems are on which side of the
> > network.
>
> Er, actually, I beleive the correct behaviour in "learn" mode is to
> forward _all_ packets, saving the source MAC address for each packet, and
> the next time a packet comes from some other MAC address, via that same
> interface, with a destination MAC address that the bridge has receved
> transmitted traffic from, it knows the two devices are on the same of it,
> and doesnt forward the packet..
>
No, when a bridge port is in the LEARNING state it does NOT forward
frames.
See the IEEE Std 802.1d for details, or Perlman's book
"Interconnections".
-- Marcelo Mourier Rapid City Communications marcelom@rapid-city.com