Data Link Layer

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What Does Data Link Layer Mean?

The data link layer is used for the encoding, decoding and logical organization of data bits. Data packets are framed and addressed by this layer, which has two sublayers.

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The data link layer’s first sublayer is the media access control (MAC) layer. It is used for source and destination addresses. The MAC layer allows the data link layer to provide the best data transmission vehicle and manage data flow control.

The data link layer’s second sublayer is the logical link control. It manages error checking and data flow over a network.

Techopedia Explains Data Link Layer

The data link layer frame includes source and destination addresses, data length, start signal or indicator and other related Ethernet information to enhance communication. This layer’s main responsibility is to transfer data frames between nodes over a network.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.