N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for logical addressing and routing of packets between networks?
⚠ Common exam trap
The N10-009 exam often tests the distinction between logical addressing (Layer 3) and physical addressing (Layer 2), leading candidates to mistakenly choose the Data Link layer because they associate 'addressing' with MAC addresses rather than IP addresses.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Network layer
The Network layer (Layer 3) is responsible for logical addressing (e.g., IPv4/IPv6 addresses) and routing packets between different networks by determining the best path using routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, or static routes. Unlike the Data Link layer, which handles physical addressing (MAC) within a single network segment, the Network layer enables end-to-end delivery across multiple hops.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Data Link layer
Why it's wrong here
The Data Link layer (Layer 2) manages the physical addressing of devices within a single local network segment using MAC addresses, ensuring reliable data transfer between directly connected nodes. It is responsible for framing data into discrete units and handling error detection within that specific link. Unlike the Network layer, it does not concern itself with routing packets across multiple networks or global logical addressing.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking which OSI layer is responsible for framing, MAC addressing, and error detection on a single network segment would have the Data Link layer as the correct answer.
- ✓
Network layer
Why this is correct
The Network layer (Layer 3) is uniquely responsible for logical addressing, primarily through IP addresses, which enables devices to communicate across different network segments. It also handles routing, determining the best path for data packets to travel from source to destination across interconnected networks. This layer's functions are crucial for internetworking, allowing global communication beyond a single local area network by abstracting the underlying physical topology.
- ✗
Transport layer
Why it's wrong here
The Transport layer (Layer 4) focuses on reliable end-to-end communication between processes running on different hosts, managing data segmentation, reassembly, and flow control. Protocols like TCP ensure data integrity and ordered delivery, while UDP offers a faster, connectionless alternative. Its primary concern is the delivery of data between applications, not the logical addressing or routing of packets across network boundaries.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking which OSI layer provides reliable data transfer, error recovery, and flow control between hosts would make the Transport layer correct.
- ✗
Application layer
Why it's wrong here
The Application layer (Layer 7) provides the interface for network services directly to user applications, facilitating communication for specific tasks such as web browsing, email, or file transfer. While applications utilize logical addresses to connect to remote services, this layer itself does not define or manage the logical addressing scheme. Instead, it focuses on protocol-specific functions like HTTP, FTP, and SMTP that enable user-facing network interactions.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which OSI layer provides services for email, file transfer, and web browsing?' would make the Application layer the correct answer, as it directly supports application-level protocols.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Network layerCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The Network layer (Layer 3) is uniquely responsible for logical addressing, primarily through IP addresses, which enables devices to communicate across different network segments. It also handles routing, determining the best path for data packets to travel from source to destination across interconnected networks. This layer's functions are crucial for internetworking, allowing global communication beyond a single local area network by abstracting the underlying physical topology.
✗Data Link layerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Data Link layer (Layer 2) handles node-to-node data transfer, error detection, and MAC addressing, not logical addressing or routing between networks, which are functions of the Network layer (Layer 3).
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking which OSI layer is responsible for framing, MAC addressing, and error detection on a single network segment would have the Data Link layer as the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often confuse the Data Link layer's MAC addressing with logical addressing, or they mistakenly think routing occurs at Layer 2 due to switches operating at that layer.
✗Transport layerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Transport layer (Layer 4) is responsible for end-to-end communication, segmentation, and flow control, not for logical addressing or routing between networks.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking which OSI layer provides reliable data transfer, error recovery, and flow control between hosts would make the Transport layer correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the Transport layer's role in managing data segments and ports with the Network layer's routing and logical addressing functions.
✗Application layerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Application layer (Layer 7) provides network services to end-user applications, such as HTTP, FTP, and SMTP. It does not handle logical addressing or routing, which are functions of the Network layer.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which OSI layer provides services for email, file transfer, and web browsing?' would make the Application layer the correct answer, as it directly supports application-level protocols.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the Application layer with the Network layer because both involve 'addressing' in a broad sense—Application layer uses URLs or email addresses, leading to a mistaken belief it handles routing.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Interior vs Exterior Routing Protocols
Key term
Segment
A segment is a division of a larger network, such as a collision domain, broadcast domain, or a portion of a TCP data stream, used to organize traffic and improve performance.
Key term
OSI model
The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven distinct layers, from physical hardware to application software.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the N10-009 exam.