Which systems operate at the network layer in the OSI network model? (Choose two.)

The correct answer is A. IP address. IP addresses (A) operate at the network layer (Layer 3) because they are logical addresses used to identify devices and route packets across different networks - the core function of Layer 3. Routers (B) are also correct, as they read IP addresses to make forwarding decisions…

Network Security Fundamentals

Question

Which systems operate at the network layer in the OSI network model? (Choose two.)

Options

AIP address
Brouter
Cswitch
DMAC address

How the community answered

(63 responses)

A
76% (48)
B
6% (4)
C
14% (9)
D
3% (2)

Explanation

IP addresses (A) operate at the network layer (Layer 3) because they are logical addresses used to identify devices and route packets across different networks - the core function of Layer 3. Routers (B) are also correct, as they read IP addresses to make forwarding decisions between networks, making them Layer 3 devices.

Switches (C) are wrong - they operate at Layer 2 (Data Link), forwarding frames based on MAC addresses within a single network segment. MAC addresses (D) are wrong - they are physical hardware addresses that belong to Layer 2, used for local delivery within the same network.

Memory tip: Think "Routers and IP = Layer 3" vs. "Switches and MAC = Layer 2" - the two pairs go together. R-I at Layer 3, S-M at Layer 2.

Topics

#OSI model#Layer 3#IP addressing#Router

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