Question

A _____, like its physical counterpart, is a device that functions at layer 2 of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) reference model.

Answer 1

The term that fills the blank is 'network switch', as it operates at the Data Link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model, processing and forwarding data within a LAN.

Step-by-step explanation:

A network switch, like its physical counterpart, is a device that functions at layer 2 of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) reference model. The OSI model is a conceptual framework used to understand and implement standards for network communication. At layer 2, the Data Link layer, switches perform their primary function which is to process and forward data at the MAC address level within the same network. These devices play a crucial role in managing traffic and improving efficiency within a LAN (Local Area Network) by creating multiple collision domains and reducing packet collisions.