A broadcast domain is a logical area in a computer network where any computer connected to the network can directly transmit to any other in the domain without having to go through a routing device, providing they share the same subnet and gateway address and are in the same VLAN, (default or installed).

More specifically it is an area of the computer network made up of all the computers and networking devices able to be reached by sending a frame to the data link layer broadcast address.

A very basic network that uses hubs rather than switches or routers is like a post office clerk checking the mail. One clerk looks at each letter to confirm that the mail is not for himself or herself. When one letter (signal) is sent from one point, all the other points in the network will have to check in order to confirm that the letter (signal) is not for themselves.

Routers are used to segment broadcast domains.

See also

• Collision domain

Network architecture

Broadcast-Domäne | Dominio de difusión | Domaine de diffusion | מתחם שידור | Широковещательный домен