Which networking device operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and forwards data based on MAC addresses?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. Switch.
A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and forwards data based on MAC addresses. Unlike routers, which operate at Layer 3 and use IP addresses, switches use MAC addresses to determine the destination of data packets within a local area network (LAN). They maintain a MAC address table to map device addresses to specific ports, enabling efficient data transmission by directing packets only to the intended recipient. This process reduces network congestion and improves overall performance by minimizing unnecessary data traffic.