What is Network layer? - Definition from Whatis.com

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Network layer

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Network layer

In the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model, the Network layer knows the address of the neighboring nodes in the network, packages output with the correct network address information, selects routes and quality of service, and recognizes and forwards to the Transport layer incoming messages for local host domains. Among existing protocol that generally map to the OSI network layer are the Internet Protocol (IP) part of TCP/IP and NetWare IPX/SPX. Both IP Version 4 and IP Version 6 (IPv6) map to the OSI network layer.

Related glossary terms: TP0-TP4 (transport protocols 0 to 4), physical layer, Transport Services Access Point (TSAP), Media Access Control layer (MAC layer), Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), data link layer, OSI (Open Systems Interconnection), CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data), presentation layer, Application layer

This was last updated in October 2006

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