The network layer of the TCP/IP model maps against the data-link layer and the physical layer of the OSI model. Because of this, it incorporates the functions of these two OSI layers into this one TCP/IP layer.
While the internet layer is responsible for communications mainly outside the host's network and for routing this data, the network layer is responsible for communications on the link (basically anything within the same subnet). Because of this, the network layer is sometimes referred to as the link layer.
It is on the network layer of the TCP/IP model that media access control is performed, and therefore MAC addresses can be found here. In addition, the attributes of the physical medium, such as modulation and coding, are also here.
There are a number of protocols and standards that are part of the network layer. These include IEEE...
