Which device operates at the Data Link Layer?

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Accepted Answer

Switch - A Switch is a device that operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. It is used to connect multiple devices within the same local network (LAN) and forward data based on MAC addresses.

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.

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