What is the difference between the data link layer and link layer?

Question

What is the difference between the data link layer and link layer? Do they mean the same thing?

Answer 1

In the frame work of the TCP/IP (Internet Protocol Suite) model, OSI's data link layer, in addition to other components, is contained in TCP/IP's lowest layer, the link layer. The Internet Protocol's link layer only concerns itself with hardware issues to the point of obtaining hardware addresses for locating hosts on a physical network link and transmitting data frames onto the link. Thus, the link layer is broader in scope and encompasses all methods that affect the local link, which is the group of connections that are limited in scope to other nodes on the local access network.

Link layer is the lowest component layer of the Internet protocols, as TCP/IP is designed to be hardware independent. While, Data link layer is 2nd layer of OSI model.

Answer 2

Data Link Layer: The data link layer handles communication between systems on the same local network.

Link Layer: The Link Layer is a link between the physical and logical network.