Devices on OSI layer

Hey all,

I am preparing for my network exams which will be in two weeks. So far I an finding some serious tutorial inconsistencies with two devices and where they operate on the OSI layers.

NICS and WAPs

Based on which tutorial / practice exam material you have, you will get it to say that they operate on both Data link and Physical layers ( Prep logic).

Others will say on the Physical layer.

As far as COMPTIA is concerned, which one is correct?

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Comments

NetAdmin2436

Should be both. A NIC physically transmits signals over the line. A NIC also has a MAC address which is layer 2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_card

I wouldn't worry too much. I doubt you will get a tricky question regarding them.

Barrypr

Ya I'm re-sitting my N+ in two weeks, lots of practice exams I have been doing are giving different answers, if the question comes up for WAP'S I'm going with layer1 same for NIC unless they mention MAC!

dynamik

I wouldn't go with layer 1 for WAPs or NICs. NetAdmin explained why for NICs, and layer 2 is critical for WAPs (i.e. how to handle and respond to collisions). Layer 1 devices are things like hubs and repeaters that blindly transmit electrical signals.

macdude

Do not forget that cables are layer 1

netcom2000

I must admit, I never had a question like that, I would go physical rather than both though.

human151

Both devices are layer two.

As far a NICs, you need to remember the data link layer is divided into two sublayers, MAC & LLC. The LLC talks to layer 3, and wraps a frame around the packet and passes it to the MAC, which puts the frame on the cables as bits.

neither is a layer 1 device, but the MAC sublayer does interact with layer 1.

human151

also remember that waps as well as nics are layer two because they forward frames by ethernet address (MAC Address)

a layer 1 device would be repeater.

Nobylspoon

My textbook came with an OSI model reference card that shows WAP in layer 2 and NICs in both layer 1 & 2.

*StarFire

I agree with Human151

maumercado

theyre both layer 1 & 2