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SSCP · Question #1085

HTTP, FTP, SMTP reside at which layer of the OSI model?

The correct answer is D. Layer 7 - Application. HTTP, FTP, and SMTP are all considered application-layer protocols, operating at Layer 7 of the OSI model to provide direct services to end-user applications.

Submitted by eva_at· Apr 18, 2026Network and Communications Security

Question

HTTP, FTP, SMTP reside at which layer of the OSI model?

Options

  • ALayer 1 - Physical
  • BLayer 3 - Network
  • CLayer 4 - Transport
  • DLayer 7 - Application
  • ELayer 2 - Data Link

How the community answered

(21 responses)
  • A
    5% (1)
  • B
    5% (1)
  • D
    90% (19)

Why each option

HTTP, FTP, and SMTP are all considered application-layer protocols, operating at Layer 7 of the OSI model to provide direct services to end-user applications.

ALayer 1 - Physical

Layer 1 (Physical) deals with the physical transmission of raw data bits, not application-level protocols.

BLayer 3 - Network

Layer 3 (Network) is responsible for logical addressing and routing packets across networks (e.g., IP), which is below the application layer.

CLayer 4 - Transport

Layer 4 (Transport) handles end-to-end communication, segmentation, and reassembly of data (e.g., TCP, UDP), providing services to the application layer but not being the application protocols themselves.

DLayer 7 - ApplicationCorrect

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) function at Layer 7, the Application Layer, of the OSI model. This layer is responsible for providing network services directly to user applications, enabling specific functions like web browsing, file transfer, and email communication.

ELayer 2 - Data Link

Layer 2 (Data Link) manages frame transmission within a local network segment and error detection, operating below the network and application layers.

Concept tested: OSI model Application Layer protocols

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/osi-model-overview

Topics

#OSI Model#Application Layer#Network Protocols#Common Protocols

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