The Data-Link Layer | OSI

Layer 2 refers to the Data Link layer of the commonly-referenced multilayered communication model, Open Systems Interconnection (OSI). The Data Link layer is concerned with moving data across the physical links in the network. In a network, the switch is a device that redirects data messages at the layer 2 level, using the destination Media Access Control (MAC) address to determine where to direct the message.

The Data-Link layer contains two sublayers that are described in the IEEE-802 LAN standards:

* Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer
* Logical Link Control (LLC) sublayer

The Data Link layer ensures that an initial connection has been set up, divides output data into data frames, and handles the acknowledgements from a receiver that the data arrived successfully. It also ensures that incoming data has been received successfully by analyzing bit patterns at special places in the frames.The OSI seven-layer model – What is a layer?

* The Application Layer (Layer 7)
* The Presentation Layer (Layer 6)
* The Session Layer (Layer 5)
* The Transport Layer (Layer 4)
* The Network Layer (Layer 3)
* The Data Link Layer (Layer 2)
* The Physical Layer (Layer 1)
* Putting all the layers together