What OSI layer is referred to as the Data Link Layer?

The Data Link Layer is indeed referred to as Layer 2 in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. This layer is responsible for the node-to-node transfer of data and handles error correction from the physical layer, which is Layer 1. The Data Link Layer ensures that data packets are properly framed for transmission over a specific physical network and aids in the control of how data is placed and received from the media.

The significance of the Data Link Layer lies in its role in facilitating the establishment of reliable link processes for communication within local area networks (LANs). It manages the physical addressing (MAC addresses), decides how to send data on the network, and provides mechanisms for error detection and correction, ensuring that only error-free data is passed to the higher layers of the OSI model.

Understanding the function of the Data Link Layer is crucial for grasping how networking protocols and technologies interact with each other across the OSI model, ultimately leading to the effective data communication processes necessary in network security practices.