Identifying the OSI Layers at Which Various Network Components Operate
When you have an understanding of the OSI model, it is possible to relate network connectivity devices to the appropriate layer of the OSI model. Knowing at which OSI level a device operates allows you to better understand how it functions on the network. Table 2 identifies various network devices and maps them to the OSI model.
|
Device |
OSI Layer |
|---|---|
|
Hub |
Physical (Layer 1) |
|
Switch |
Data-link (Layer 2) |
|
Bridge |
Data-link (Layer 2) |
|
Router |
Network (Layer 3) |
|
NIC |
Data-link (Layer 2) |
|
WAP |
Data-link (Layer 2) |