Which device operates at the Data Link Layer?

When a switch receives a frame, it reads the MAC address in the header to decide which port to forward the frame to. This helps reduce network traffic and increases speed by sending the frame only to the intended device, not to all devices on the network.

Key points about switches:

• Operate at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer)


• Use MAC addresses to forward data frames


• Reduce collisions and improve performance in LANs


• Work with frames, not packets or segments

Tip: If youre asked which device uses MAC addresses or works at the Data Link Layer, the correct answer is the switch.

Conclusion: A switch is a Layer 2 device that uses MAC addresses to forward frames within a local area network, making it a key component of efficient network communication.