What layer of the ISO/OSI model do routers normally operate at?

The correct answer is D. Network layer. Routers operate at Layer 3 (the Network layer) of the OSI model. They use logical addressing (such as IP addresses) to make forwarding decisions and route packets between different networks. Layer 2 (Data Link) is where switches and bridges operate using MAC addresses. The…

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

Question

Options

AData link layer
BSession layer
CTransport layer
DNetwork layer

How the community answered

(38 responses)

B
3% (1)
C
3% (1)
D
95% (36)

Explanation

Routers operate at Layer 3 (the Network layer) of the OSI model. They use logical addressing (such as IP addresses) to make forwarding decisions and route packets between different networks. Layer 2 (Data Link) is where switches and bridges operate using MAC addresses. The Session layer (Layer 5) manages communication sessions, and the Transport layer (Layer 4) handles end-to-end reliability - neither is where routers function.

Topics

#OSI Model#Network Layer#Routers#Networking Fundamentals

Community Discussion

No community discussion yet for this question.

Full SSCP Practice