Abstract: A transmission system transmits data among interconnected local area networks using a bridge coupled between local area networks which senses whether the data originating node transmitted the data using transparent routing or source routing. The bridges provide interconnection at the MAC-layer and based upon information contained in the MAC-layer header, automatically perform either transparent routing or source routing, depending upon the type of routing used by the data originating node. In addition, the bridge provides source routing over multiple wide area channels to those nodes which use source routing.