What is the purpose of logical addressing in the Network Layer?

• A. To uniquely identify devices within a network for routing.
• B. To ensure error detection on frames.
• C. To manage data link access control.
• D. To encrypt payload data.

Answer: (A)

Logical addressing at the Network Layer assigns each device a routable address that works across multiple networks, letting routers forward packets toward their destination. Because these addresses are hierarchical, they support scalable routing and subnetting, so a packet can travel from one network to another even if devices aren’t on the same local network. The network layer uses these addresses to determine the next hop and the best path to the destination, enabling end-to-end delivery across complex networks. This is different from data link layer functions, which handle local delivery using physical addresses (MAC) and related error checking and access control. Encryption belongs to security concerns, not routing, and is not the purpose of logical addressing.