About Lesson
Purpose of the Physical Layer
Describe the purpose and functions of the physical layer in the network.
The Physical Connection
- Before any network communications can occur, a physical connection to a local network must be established.
- This connection could be wired or wireless, depending on the setup of the network.
- This generally applies whether you are considering a corporate office or a home.
- A Network Interface Card (NIC) connects a device to the network.
- Some devices may have just one NIC, while others may have multiple NICs (Wired and/or Wireless, for example).
- Not all physical connections offer the same level of performance.
The Physical Layer
- Transports bits across the network media
- Accepts a complete frame from the Data Link Layer and encodes it as a series of signals that are transmitted to the local media
- This is the last step in the encapsulation process.
- The next device in the path to the destination receives the bits and re-encapsulates the frame, then decides what to do with it.
Other related topics
| Topic Title | Topic Objective |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the Physical Layer | Describe the purpose and functions of the physical layer in the network. |
| Physical Layer Characteristics | Describe characteristics of the physical layer. |
| Copper Cabling | Identify the basic characteristics of copper cabling. |
| UTP Cabling | Explain how UTP cable is used in Ethernet networks. |
| Fiber-Optic Cabling | Describe fiber optic cabling and its main advantages over other media. |
| Wireless Media | Connect devices using wired and wireless media. |
Other useful information
- Full CCNA Course
- CCNA Certificate Information
- 200-301 CCNA Exam Questions and Solutions
- 200-301 CCNA Exam Topics
Join the conversation