Which device typically handles data frame encapsulation when transitioning from one network type to another?

The device responsible for data frame encapsulation when transitioning from one network type to another is a router. Routers operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model and are designed to forward packets between different networks. When a router receives data from one network, it can encapsulate that data into a different frame format suitable for the destination network before forwarding it.

For example, when transitioning between an Ethernet network and a Wi-Fi network, a router will take frames from the Ethernet network, extract the data, and then encapsulate it appropriately for transmission over the Wi-Fi network. This process is essential for maintaining communication across different types of network architectures that may use varying protocols and framing techniques.

Bridges and switches primarily operate at Layer 2 and are used to connect devices within the same network type, such as linking multiple Ethernet devices together. While they handle data frames, they do not perform encapsulation for differing network types. A host, such as a computer or server, interacts with the network but does not typically handle data frame encapsulation for network transitions in the same way routers do.