Which OSI layer does IP operate at and perform routing?

Which OSI layer does IP operate at and perform routing?

• A. Physical layer
• B. Data Link layer
• C. Network layer
• D. Transport layer

Answer: (C)

Routing between networks is a function of the network layer. IP operates at this layer, carrying logical addresses (IP addresses) and letting routers forward packets toward their destination across multiple networks. The network layer is responsible for path determination and inter-network routing, which is exactly what IP does. The other layers are not the place where IP performs routing: the physical layer is about sending raw bits over a medium, the data link layer handles frames and MAC addressing on a single link, and the transport layer deals with end-to-end communication and reliability.

Routing between networks is a function of the network layer. IP operates at this layer, carrying logical addresses (IP addresses) and letting routers forward packets toward their destination across multiple networks. The network layer is responsible for path determination and inter-network routing, which is exactly what IP does.

The other layers are not the place where IP performs routing: the physical layer is about sending raw bits over a medium, the data link layer handles frames and MAC addressing on a single link, and the transport layer deals with end-to-end communication and reliability.