v      Increase the number of attached workstations and network segments

v      Since bridges buffer frames, it is possible to interconnect differentsegments which use different MAC protocols

v      Since bridges work at the MAC layer, they are transparent to higher level protocols

v      By subdividing the LAN into smaller segments, this increases overall reliability, and makes the network easier to maintain

v      The buffering of frames introduces network delays

v      Bridges may overload during periods of high traffic

v      Bridges which combine different MAC protocols require the frames to bemodified before transmission onto the new segment. This causes delays