What is a key feature of the Data Link Layer?

The Data Link Layer is fundamental in the OSI model as it is responsible for framing data, which involves organizing raw bits into manageable units called frames. This process is crucial because it allows for the efficient transportation of data across a physical link, facilitating error detection and correction as well as ensuring proper addressing within the same physical network.

By framing data, the Data Link Layer ensures that messages can be interpreted correctly by receiving devices, incorporating headers and trailers that assist in the recognition of frame boundaries, synchronization, and error-checking information. This makes data transportation more reliable and manageable, thereby enhancing communication processes across networks.

Other options, while involving important networking concepts, do not accurately describe the main responsibilities of the Data Link Layer. For instance, encryption is typically handled at higher layers, user applications interact more with the Application Layer, and establishing physical connections falls under the responsibilities of the Physical Layer.