![[Featured Image] An IT expert sits at a laptop wearing a headset and talking a technician through a network layer repair.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/wV8F75Q9gqdmSJnvBljbP/e6c48f7d71680679bfe5726e89ed5363/GettyImages-1413763039.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
What Is the Network Layer? Definition and Practical Applications
The network layer allows for end-to-end communication between computer networks by assigning addresses to devices and routing data packets. Learn more about what the network layer is and the functions it performs in the broader networking system.
October 24, 2024
Article

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![[Featured Image] Three co-workers are sending files through their communication network protocols on digital tablets.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3mZACX1s4TYfxV97G8irSu/ca92eefccbbbfc0674cf0a0452de27a7/GettyImages-700713399.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)



![[Featured Image] A network engineer works on their computer to implement network monitoring software.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4f43Hknn1hWEc5nAj3pVih/cb691b6bc09fb274a7d8ff88cf759751/GettyImages-1350882189.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] IT professional sitting at their workspace building network architectures and communicating with colleagues via headphones.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/47yGHeQANB7Kwio1KiOIH0/30b16dfaa1771878264513252729f8c8/GettyImages-1205741517.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] In a server room, a network operations engineer examines a server while holding a tablet.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4Xi4X8Hb45j7Raedp9uidy/eb9272b7c61445680f281872ab112468/GettyImages-653355524.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A young professional who wants to change careers uses a laptop to research whether you need a degree for cybersecurity.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6TzgMrtnflCQxqzOZKT3xK/22811792892ea24f2ced8cc00f704e6f/GettyImages-1536295380.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A computer networking learner studies the function of data packets and internet protocol.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3EosFsN4VUZHheE32Losyz/0e4760741a7144596ad37fe3813a7613/GettyImages-1390307383.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Two people on a video call using a computer as a full duplex as both computers are transmitting and receiving information.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5Py8JOcQBYg5YHjglqmOEr/c7d0363bb4fa3c14356b7766d160183e/GettyImages-1309784457.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A young computer user explains how network interface cards work to allow their parent’s laptop and other devices to connect to the network.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1kongz7UdahwqbFnKGNE8L/56461da603e8b3bdcfb744a2f8477d91/GettyImages-1847335324.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A female network engineer stands in a server room with a laptop looking at the physical layer mechanics](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/42GBEzDEWSsolDo2vGutCX/dbc5bc22c122fe5fc93455820e7d2b34/GettyImages-1334003868.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Aspiring computer network architects learn about CSMA and its importance in data collision avoidance in a classroom setting.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7aqC4iblQSvfLhxYydKD8Q/f733835f0bf3ec44f9f32b4ded2782eb/GettyImages-459163579.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
