Which layer of the OSI model is primarily responsible for path determination and logical addressing?

The Network layer of the OSI model is primarily responsible for path determination and logical addressing. This layer handles the routing of packets across multiple networks, ensuring that data can be transmitted from the source to the destination even if they are on different networks. It utilizes logical addressing, such as IP addresses, to identify devices on a network and to facilitate communication between them.

Path determination involves finding the most efficient route for data packets to travel toward their destination. This is crucial in complex network architectures where multiple routes may be available, and the Network layer leverages protocols such as IP to make these routing decisions.

In contrast, the Transport layer is focused on end-to-end communication and error recovery, the Data Link layer is concerned with node-to-node data transfer and physical addressing, and the Application layer interfaces with user applications to provide network services. Each of these layers has distinct responsibilities that contribute to the overall function of network communication, but it is the Network layer that specifically handles the tasks of path determination and logical addressing.