Which layer handles path determination and IP addressing?

• A. Network Layer
• B. Transport Layer
• C. Data Link Layer
• D. Application Layer

Answer: (A)

The Network Layer handles path determination and IP addressing. It is responsible for moving packets between networks, which requires choosing a route from source to destination (path determination) and using IP addresses to identify endpoints across those networks. Routers operate at this layer, reading the destination IP and forwarding the packet along the chosen path via routing tables. In contrast, the Transport Layer focuses on end-to-end delivery between processes on hosts, the Data Link Layer manages neighbor-to-neighbor delivery on a single network using MAC addresses, and the Application Layer provides services directly to user applications. So the Network Layer is the one that governs routing decisions and IP addressing.