However, from a security view, they provide a great way into the network because you typically configure the bridge, attach it to the client computer, and forget about it. Attackers interested in attaching to the network can steal a bridge and get on, or gain access to the bridge’s configuration for credentials.

Furthermore, the incremental cost for any type of client can be large compared to the cost of the cash register. A search on cash registers with Ethernet led me to the Sharp UP-600, which sells for around $900. (I have no idea how comparable the Sharp is compared to the other registers that I was discussing.) If the unit is an “overflow” unit used only for big sales a few times a year, maintaining, configuring, and managing a second part at 10% of the cost is not worth it to most stores.

Finally, the cost of an Ethernet hardware bridge is substantially more than client software. The bridge costs $100, but the list pricing for commercial client software is generally $30-40 per unit. Big stores could get better pricing than that, but there is greater ability to heavily discount large software orders, or use a zero-cost alternative.