At which OSI layer do bridges operate?

Bridges operate at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model, which is the second layer. This layer is responsible for node-to-node data transfer and error detection and correction, managing how data packets are presented to the physical layer. Bridges primarily function to connect and filter traffic between different network segments, making intelligent decisions based on MAC addresses. By examining the source and destination addresses in the Ethernet frames, bridges can determine the appropriate segment for traffic, thereby reducing network collisions and improving the overall performance of a network. Understanding the role of the Data Link Layer is crucial because it serves as an intermediary that ensures reliable data transfer between directly connected devices while managing access to the physical medium.