What is the main responsibility of the Network Layer?

The primary responsibility of the Network Layer is to move packets from one network to another using logical addressing. This layer is fundamental in managing packet forwarding through different routers and ensuring that data packets reach their intended destination across various interconnected networks. It employs logical addressing, such as IP addresses, to identify both the source and destination of the data packets, enabling routing decisions across complex network paths.

By managing the routing of packets, the Network Layer ensures that data can traverse diverse and potentially complicated network topologies. It encapsulates data from the Transport Layer into packets, adding necessary headers that include origin and destination IP addresses, which are crucial for determining how data is transmitted over the internet and other networks.

While other layers are responsible for different aspects of data communication, the specified function of moving packets and logical addressing is unique to the Network Layer and is essential for the overall operation of network communication.