What role does the Data Link Layer play in data transmission?

The Data Link Layer is responsible for framing data packets that are received from the Network Layer before they are transmitted over the physical medium. This involves adding headers and trailers to the packets, which contain crucial information such as source and destination MAC addresses, error detection information, and control data for managing access to the physical medium. By framing the data, the Data Link Layer ensures that it is structured in a way that can be effectively sent over the network and correctly interpreted by the receiving device.

This layer plays a critical role in establishing a reliable communication channel between directly connected nodes, handling error detection and correction to maintain data integrity during transmission. The framing process also contributes to the overall organization of the data for the Transport Layer and higher layers, setting the stage for successful end-to-end communication handled by those layers.