What is a characteristic of the lower layers of the OSI model?

The lower layers of the OSI model are primarily concerned with the actual transmission of data across the network. This includes the physical layer, which deals with the hardware transmission of raw bit streams over a physical medium, and the data link layer, responsible for node-to-node data transfer and error detection and correction. These layers ensure that data is properly packaged, sent, and received between devices, focusing on data transport and the reliable delivery of messages over the network.

The concept of data transport and transmission is critical in networking, as it involves the protocols and standards that manage how devices communicate with each other effectively and efficiently. In contrast, the higher layers of the OSI model, such as the application layer, focus on end-user services and specific application functionalities, which is separate from the underlying transport mechanisms that the lower layers handle.