Which interface is primarily used for monitoring network traffic on RouterOS?

The bridge interface is specifically designed to operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model, allowing for the monitoring and management of network traffic that is passed between multiple network segments or interfaces.

When using RouterOS, the bridge interface can aggregate multiple physical interfaces and allows the router to behave as a switch, forwarding packets based on MAC addresses. This is particularly useful for monitoring traffic because it can capture all traffic passing through the bridge, enabling network administrators to analyze and manage that traffic effectively.

In environments where traffic needs to be monitored closely, configuring a bridge interface allows RouterOS to access and inspect the traffic flowing between devices, making it easier to verify performance, troubleshoot issues, and enforce policies. This capability makes the bridge interface a crucial tool for monitoring network activity on RouterOS devices.

Other interfaces, like network, VLAN, or Ethernet, serve different specific purposes but do not offer the same level of centralized traffic monitoring as a bridge interface does. Network interfaces are typically focused on the logical concept of networks, VLAN can be used for segregating traffic into multiple virtual networks, and Ethernet interfaces are linked to physical connections but lack the same comprehensive oversight that a bridge provides when working in a multi-interface environment.