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CISSP · Question #286

At which layer of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model are the source and destination address for a datagram handled?

The correct answer is C. Network Layer. The OSI Network Layer (Layer 3) is responsible for logical addressing and routing of datagrams between source and destination across networks.

Submitted by luis.pe· Mar 5, 2026Communication and Network Security

Question

At which layer of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model are the source and destination address for a datagram handled?

Options

  • ATransport Layer
  • BData-Link Layer
  • CNetwork Layer
  • DApplication Layer

How the community answered

(43 responses)
  • A
    5% (2)
  • C
    93% (40)
  • D
    2% (1)

Why each option

The OSI Network Layer (Layer 3) is responsible for logical addressing and routing of datagrams between source and destination across networks.

ATransport Layer

The Transport Layer (Layer 4) handles end-to-end communication, segmentation, and port numbers (e.g., TCP/UDP), not the logical source and destination IP addresses of a datagram.

BData-Link Layer

The Data-Link Layer (Layer 2) handles physical MAC addresses used for node-to-node delivery on the same local network segment, not the logical IP addresses used in datagram routing.

CNetwork LayerCorrect

The Network Layer (Layer 3) handles logical addressing, including the source and destination IP addresses embedded in a datagram header. This layer is responsible for path determination and logical addressing that allows packets to be routed across interconnected networks from source to destination.

DApplication Layer

The Application Layer (Layer 7) provides network services directly to end-user applications such as HTTP or FTP, and has no role in handling source or destination addressing for datagrams.

Concept tested: OSI Layer 3 logical addressing and datagram routing

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/network/windows-network-architecture-and-the-osi-model

Topics

#OSI model#network layer#datagrams#IP addressing

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