CDCS – Network layer services: Packetizing, Routing, and Forwarding | i2tutorials

Network layer services: Packetizing, Routing, and Forwarding

The network layer provides the following services:

• Packetizing

Packetizing refers to the process of encapsulating data received from the payload, which is the upper layer of the network, in a Network layer at the source, and then decapsulating it at the destination. The host adds a header that includes the source and the destination addresses alongside other relevant information that is required in the process of packetizing. The receiver host receives the network layer packet from the Data Link layer, decapsulates it, and sends the payload to the upper layer protocol. The routers cannot change the header or the address. 

• Routing 

In the network layer, there are numerous routes available from the source to the destination, the Network layer follows some strategies to find the best route possible. The process of finding the best route is known as routing. 

The following types of routing protocols are used for routing:

1. Unicast Routing Protocol

2. Multicast Routing Protocol

• Forwarding

Forwarding refers to the action applied by the router when a packet arrives at one of the interfaces. The router receives a packet from one network and forwards it to another attached network(s).

Advantages of the network layer services:

1. Packetization makes it easier to transfer data packets. 

2. Packetization helps to eliminate single points of failure in data communication.

3. Forwarding helps to data packets from one network to another.

4. Routers reduce network traffic.

Disadvantages of network layer services are as follows:

1. It lacks flow control in the design of the network layer.

2. There is a chance of congestion.

3. Error control in the network layer is inefficient as there are fragmented data packets. 

Reference

Network layer services: Packetizing, Routing, and Forwarding