Which networking device connects two different network segments?

The correct choice, which is a bridge, connects two different network segments, allowing them to communicate and operate as a single network. A bridge operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, making it capable of filtering traffic and reducing collisions by dividing a network into smaller, manageable segments. This improves overall network efficiency and performance.

Bridges work by examining data packets and deciding whether to forward them to the other network segment based on the MAC address. This functionality helps to limit the number of devices on each network segment, leading to reduced traffic and fewer collisions.

In contrast, routers connect different networks and can route data between them based on IP addresses, making them more suited for different network types rather than simply connecting segments within the same type. Switches are used within a single network to connect devices but do not segment to different networks like a bridge can. Hubs, on the other hand, are basic devices that simply transmit data to all connected devices without any filtering or intelligence, unlike bridges, which actively manage traffic between segments.