Which layer of the TCP/IP protocol model would best correspond to the OSI/ISO model's network layer?

The correct answer is D. Internet layer. Option D (Internet layer) is correct because the TCP/IP Internet layer handles logical addressing and routing of packets across networks - the same core responsibilities as the OSI Network layer (Layer 3), where IP operates. Why the distractors are wrong: A (Network access layer)

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

Question

Which layer of the TCP/IP protocol model would best correspond to the OSI/ISO model's network layer?

Options

ANetwork access layer
BApplication layer
CHost-to-host transport layer
DInternet layer

How the community answered

(53 responses)

A
4% (2)
B
2% (1)
D
94% (50)

Explanation

Option D (Internet layer) is correct because the TCP/IP Internet layer handles logical addressing and routing of packets across networks - the same core responsibilities as the OSI Network layer (Layer 3), where IP operates.

Why the distractors are wrong:

A (Network access layer) corresponds to OSI Layers 1–2 (Physical + Data Link), handling hardware addressing and physical transmission.
B (Application layer) maps to OSI Layers 5–7 (Session, Presentation, Application), dealing with user-facing protocols like HTTP and DNS.
C (Host-to-host transport layer) corresponds to OSI Layer 4 (Transport), managing end-to-end communication via TCP/UDP.

Memory tip: Think of the acronym "I Route Packets" - the Internet layer is where IP lives, and IP's job is routing packets between networks, which is exactly what the OSI Network layer does. If you remember "IP = Internet layer = Network layer," you'll never mix these up.

Topics

#TCP/IP Model#OSI Model#Network Layers#Protocol Stacks

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