Which layer in the TCP/IP model is used to address packets and route them across the network?

The Internet Layer in the TCP/IP model is responsible for addressing packets and routing them across the network. This layer is critical for determining the best path for data to travel as it traverses different networks. It provides logical addressing through IP addresses, enabling devices on disparate networks to communicate effectively.

Within the Internet Layer, protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP) manage the packet-switching duties and set the specifications for how data packets are formatted and routed. The addressing scheme used here allows routers to make forwarding decisions based on the destination IP address of each packet, ensuring that data reaches the correct destination even through complex networks.

The other layers, while essential to the overall operation of network communications, serve different functions. The Transport Layer is responsible for the end-to-end communication and data integrity, such as managing session connections and data segmentation. The Link/Network Interface Layer handles physical addressing and the actual transmission of data frames over the physical medium, while the Application Layer deals with high-level protocols and end-user services like email and web browsing.