What place does the data link layer occupy in the OSI model?

The data link layer is the second layer in the OSI model: it sits between the physical and network layers.

Simply put: it is the bridge between "bits" and "packets."

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#The data link layer's place in the OSI model

The OSI model consists of 7 layers (bottom to top):

1. Physical layer - transmits bits (0 and 1)
2. Data link layer - HERE
3. Network layer
4. Transport layer
5. Session layer
6. Presentation layer
7. Application layer

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#What this means in practice

• Below the data link layer just electrical/optical/radio signals
• The data link layer itself gathers bits into frames, adds MAC addresses, checks for errors
• Above the data link layer routing logic, IP addresses, and packets begin

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#Short answer for an interview

The data link layer is the second layer of the OSI model, located between the physical and network layers, which delivers data as frames within a single network.