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Discuss link layer connection in TCP/IP model.
- Local Network Focus:
- The link layer deals with communication within the local network (or link) that a device is directly connected to.
- It doesn’t involve sending data outside this local network, so it’s limited to devices on the same network segment.
- Communication Between Local Devices:
- The link layer handles communication between devices on the same local network.
- It helps in maintaining information about the local network, like its topology (how devices are connected).
- Key Protocols:
- Important protocols in the link layer include:
- Address Resolution Protocol (ARP): Resolves IP addresses to physical MAC addresses.
- Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP): Resolves physical MAC addresses to IP addresses.
- Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP): Manages information about neighbors on the local network.
- Comparison with OSI Model:
- The link layer in TCP/IP is often compared with the combination of the data link layer and physical layer in the OSI model.
- While they cover similar ground, they are not exactly the same.
- Layering Consideration:
- In TCP/IP, layering is not a strict design rule, unlike in the OSI model.
- Direct comparisons between layers should be avoided, as layering in TCP/IP is considered less rigid.