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At which layer of the OSI model does a bridge operate?

1) Physical Layer
2) Data Link Layer
3) Network Layer
4) Transport Layer

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A bridge operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, handling node-to-node connectivity and network traffic segmentation using MAC addresses.

Step-by-step explanation:

A bridge operates at the Data Link Layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. This layer is responsible for node-to-node connectivity and transferring data between physically connected networks. Specifically, bridges are used to segment network traffic, manage the flow of packets between two network segments, and reduce network congestion by keeping local traffic within a local area network (LAN).

Bridges examine the Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of the frames between two LAN segments. Since the Data Link Layer is the second layer of the OSI model, the correct answer to your question is 2) Data Link Layer.

User Kenneth Spencer
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