A _____ connects different types of networks.

A bridge is a device that connects and facilitates communication between different types of networks. It operates at the data link layer of the OSI model and can filter traffic based on MAC addresses, effectively allowing two distinct networks to communicate as if they were a single network. This functionality is crucial for integrating networks with different architectures or protocols, making bridges essential in complex networking environments.

While routers perform similar connectivity functions, they operate at a higher layer (the network layer) and are primarily used for connecting multiple networks and directing data packets between them based on IP addresses. Switches, on the other hand, are used within the same network to manage local data traffic and operate at the data link layer, but they do not connect different types of networks. Hubs work at the physical layer and simply relay data to all connected devices rather than intelligently directing traffic or bridging different network types. Each of these other devices has its specific role within the network infrastructure, but the bridge's unique capability to interconnect different network types distinctly sets it apart.