Final answer:
User authentication mainly occurs at the Application Layer, which provides services directly to user applications and includes authentication processes within its protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
User authentication typically occurs at the Application Layer, which is the topmost layer in both the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and the Internet protocol suite, commonly known as the TCP/IP model. The Application Layer is responsible for providing end-user services and establishing the interface for user applications to interact and authenticate with the network. Protocols at this layer, such as HTTP for web services, FTP for file transfers, and SMTP for email, often integrate authentication methods to verify user identities before granting access to services or resources.
The user authentication occurs in the Application Layer of the OSI model. This layer provides services for process-to-process communication and enables network applications to communicate over a network. In the context of user authentication, this layer handles the protocols and mechanisms for verifying the identity of the users accessing the network.