võrgukihil

Võrgukihil, also known as the network layer, is the third layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and a fundamental concept in computer networking. Its primary responsibility is to handle the addressing and routing of data packets across different networks. This layer provides logical addressing, commonly using IP addresses, which are unique identifiers for devices on a network.

The network layer enables communication between devices that are not directly connected. It achieves this by employing routing protocols that determine the best path for data packets to travel from a source to a destination, potentially traversing multiple intermediate networks. Routers operate at this layer, examining packet headers to decide where to forward them.

Key functions of the network layer include logical addressing, routing, and packet forwarding. It ensures that data packets can find their way across the internet or other interconnected networks. Protocols like the Internet Protocol (IP) are central to the network layer's operation, defining how data is addressed and routed. Without the network layer, data would be confined to local networks, and global communication would be impossible. It works in conjunction with the data link layer below it, which handles physical addressing and transmission within a single network segment, and the transport layer above it, which manages end-to-end communication reliability.