Layer 3
Definition - What does Layer 3 mean?
Layer 3 refers to the third layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model, which is the network layer.
Layer 3 is responsible for all packet forwarding between intermediate routers, as opposed to Layer 2 (the data link layer), which is responsible for media access control and flow control, as well as error checking of Layer 1 processes.
Techopedia explains Layer 3
Layer 3 provides the network’s routing and switching technologies that create logical paths known as virtual circuits (VC), which are used for the transmission of data between network nodes. The main functions of Layer 3 include routing and forwarding, as well as internetworking, addressing, packet sequencing, congestion control and further error handling.
The protocols used in Layer 3 include:
The protocols used in Layer 3 include:
- Internet Protocols IPv4/v6
- Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
- Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol (DVMRP)
- Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)
- Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
- Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)
- Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
-
3 FREE Network Management Tools - Simplify everyday tasks and troubleshooting. 100% Free | No Expiration | Download them All
-
Free Download: IP Address Tracker - Eliminate IP conflicts by scanning, tracking, and managing up to 254 IP addresses. Detect IP conflicts and other problems using integrated monitoring and alerting. Fix problems faster with detailed logs and histories
-
FREE Network Analyzer & Bandwidth Monitoring Bundle - FREE Network Analyzer & Bandwidth Monitoring Bundle makes it easy to quickly identify the types of network traffic by flow data capture and interface monitoring for bandwidth usage in real time!
Email Newsletter
Join thousands of others with our weekly newsletter
Please Wait...
Resources
![[WEBINAR] Building a Business-Driven Data Architecture](http://cdn.techopedia.com/images/uploads//qrcode.png?width=80&height=40)
Free Whitepaper: The Path to Hybrid Cloud:
The Path to Hybrid Cloud: Intelligent Bursting To Amazon Web Services & Microsoft Azure
Free E-Book: Public Cloud Guide:
This white paper is for leaders of Operations, Engineering, or Infrastructure teams who are creating or executing an IT roadmap.
Free Tool: Virtual Health Monitor:
Virtual Health Monitor is a free virtualization monitoring and reporting tool for VMware, Hyper-V, RHEV, and XenServer environments.
Free 30 Day Trial – Turbonomic:
Turbonomic delivers an autonomic platform where virtual and cloud environments self-manage in real-time to assure application performance.
'@Techopedia'