question about collisions

shuffles62

came a across a question like this in a practice exam, and i'm confused by it:

are ethernet collisions a layer 1 or layer 2 problem?

to me the collision itself happens at the physical layer 1, but it could have been prevented with a layer 2 solution. so which layer should you attribute the problem to?

dshevnock

I would have to say that it is a Layer 2 problem since you can easily control collision domains with bridges and switchs. I think their question was kind of vague and open ended.

gojericho0

i would say layer 1 problem just because the physical layer collision domains are a disadvantage of ethernet and is the cause of the problem. It needs a smarter upper later to help prevent this

shuffles62

I think their question was kind of vague and open ended.

Thats what i was thinking, but it was actually a drag/drop.....drag the problem to the appropriate layer. Hopefully the real exam put the questions into better context.

garv221

With the CSMA/CD layer 2.