Question

if transport layer connects processes and network layer connects systems what does the data-link layer connect ______?

if transport layer is a software and the data-link is a hardware, firmware. the network layer is __________?

Answer 1

Question 1)
Answer: nodes
The data-link layer is responsible for connecting "nodes" which are "hosts and/or routers". Links are the communication channel at the data link layer that connects the adjacent nodes. A reliable link-layer protocol at the data link layer provides a reliable-delivery service between two nodes that are connected by a single link.

Question 2)
Answer:
hardware, firmware
In the OSI seven-layer reference model, from the bottom- Physical, Data-Link, and Network layers are hardware, firmware. Whereas, from Transport, Session, Presentation, to Application layers, they are software. The lower layers work in hardware or firmware (software running on specific hardware chips). Higher layers from Transport to Application layer work in software.