Both routers and bridges need to provide basic functions to ensure reliability and security of data. At present this is implemented by 'spoofing' or fooling a LAN that wishes to send these packets to a remote LAN into thinking that these packets have actually been transmitted. To connect LAN's which are closely coupled and within one organisation a bridge has some advantages and may give better performance. To connect LAN's operating between different organisations a router enables more effective management of addressing schemes and security. The most efficient way to interconnect LAN's or remotely attach a workstation via a dial up connection such as ISDN is by use of the Point to Point Protocol.
Some companies also provide a multiple serial line solution for access to a central host.
Costs The running cost of LAN to LAN and remote access connections would be considerably reduced if BT implemented a per second charging scheme. The cost to remote users, of hardware and software is still too high for widespread use of the equipment by small companies. The implementation of the de-facto ISDN channel bonding standard is necessary for remote users requiring high performance. Standardisation of asynchronous use of Terminal Adapters above the speed of 19.2 kbps would enable a greater degree of high speed inter-working with ISDN routers equipped with 115 kbps Terminal adapters. The availability of remote workstation synchronous access via PC cards to a an ISDN LAN router using PPP software would enable some degree of inter-working for remote users of different routers.