312-49 · Question #423
At what layer of the OSI model do routers function on?
The correct answer is B. 3. Routers function at Layer 3 (the Network Layer) of the OSI model, primarily handling logical addressing and path determination.
Question
At what layer of the OSI model do routers function on?
Options
- A4
- B3
- C1
- D5
How the community answered
(27 responses)- A4% (1)
- B93% (25)
- D4% (1)
Why each option
Routers function at Layer 3 (the Network Layer) of the OSI model, primarily handling logical addressing and path determination.
Layer 4 (Transport Layer) handles end-to-end communication and port numbers (e.g., TCP, UDP), which is above the primary function of a router.
Routers are Layer 3 devices because they utilize logical addressing, specifically IP addresses, to forward packets between different network segments. Their core function is to determine the optimal path for data to travel from a source to a destination across interconnected networks, which is a fundamental responsibility of the Network Layer.
Layer 1 (Physical Layer) deals with the physical transmission of raw bit streams (e.g., cables, hubs), which is below the routing function.
Layer 5 (Session Layer) manages communication sessions between applications, which is a higher-level function than routing.
Concept tested: OSI Model Layers and Network Devices
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/osi-model-architecture
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