Mastering the Network Layer: Functions and Evolution in 2025

The primary function of the network layer is to deliver packets from source to destination across multiple networks. It also specifies the packet structure and processing used to carry the data from one host to another. The layer routes the packet through different channels to the other end and acts as a network controller.

Analogy for Beginners

In 2025, with the rise of 5G and IoT, the network layer’s role has expanded to manage massive device connectivity, making its postal system analogy even more critical. Think of the Network Layer as the postal system of networking: IP Addresses = Mailing addresses, Routers = Sorting facilities, Routing Protocols = Postal route planners, TTL (Time to Live) = ‘Expiry date’ for undeliverable mail. In 2025, this system supports global IoT connectivity.”

The network layer also controls the operation of the subnet. If two computers are connected using the same link, then there is no need for this layer. It also provides addressing, encapsulation, and de-encapsulation services to permit end devices to exchange data across the network. The network layer’s primary functions, services, and protocols are as follows:

Addressing end devices

A source or destination device (e.g., computers, laptops, file servers, web servers, network printers, VoIP phones, security cameras, mobile devices) requires a unique IP address. In 2025, this is critical for managing billions of IoT devices. Without a unique IP address, data transmission across the network is impossible. Addressing the End device is necessary to identify the devices on the network.

Encapsulation

This Layer encapsulates the transport layer PDU into an IP packet, adding an IP header with source and destination addresses. This process supports both IPv4 and the increasingly adopted IPv6 for scalability. The header is used to carry the packet to the appropriate host. The IP header remains in the packet until it arrives at the destination host. The figure below illustrates how the transport layer protocol data unit (PDU) is encapsulated by the network-layer protocol data unit (PDU) to create an IP packet.

The process of encapsulating data, layer by layer, enables the services at the different layers to grow and scale without disturbing the other layers. This means IPv4 or IPv6 efficiently packages the transport layer segments. Routers can apply these different layer-3 protocols to operate simultaneously over a network. The routing depends only on the contents of the network layer packet header. In all cases, the data portion of the packet, that is, the encapsulated transport layer protocol data unit (PDU), remains unchanged during the network layer processes.

De-encapsulation

When the packet is received at Layer 3 of the destination host, the host checks the IP header of the packet. If the destination IP address and the IP address of the header match. Then, the IP header is removed from the packet. Removing the IP Header process is called De-encapsulation. After the packet is de-encapsulated by the network layer, the resulting Layer 4 protocol data unit (PDU) passes upwards to Layer 4 or the transport layer.

Routing

The network layer routes packets to a destination host on another network. The router makes it possible for a packet from one network to travel to another network. The router’s job is to direct the packet to its best path toward the destination host. A packet may cross many intermediary devices before reaching the destination host. Each router crosses a packet to reach the destination host, which is a hop. As of 2025, routing in the network layer leverages AI-driven path optimization to handle the complexity of 400 Gbps networks and cloud infrastructures.

Network Layer Protocols

There are several network layer protocols, which are listed below. However, here we will discuss the first two protocols in the coming article, which are commonly known as the IP address of the device or computer:

• IPv4, also Internet Protocol version 4
• IPv6, also known as Internet Protocol version 6
• DDP, Datagram Delivery Protocol
• DVMRP, Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol
• ICMP, Internet Control Message Protocol
• IGMP, Internet Group Management Protocol
• IPsec, Internet Protocol Security
• IPX, Internetwork Packet Exchange
• PIM-DM, Protocol Independent Multicast Dense Mode
• PIM-SM, Protocol Independent Multicast-Sparse Mode
• RIP, also Routing Information Protocol
• RSMLT Routed-SMLT

In 2025, IPv6 adoption continues to grow, supporting the increasing demand for IP addresses in smart cities and IoT ecosystems.

FAQs

• What is the primary purpose of the network layer?

  The network layer handles logical addressing (IP addresses), routing, and forwarding data packets between networks, ensuring efficient delivery in 2025’s high-speed environments.

• How does the network layer differ from the transport layer?

  The network layer focuses on end-to-end data delivery across networks, while the transport layer ensures reliable communication between devices (e.g., TCP/UDP).

• Why is IP addressing critical at the network layer?

  IP addresses uniquely identify devices on a network, enabling routers to determine the best path for data transmission.

   

• How do routers use the network layer?

  Routers analyse IP headers to forward packets between networks, using routing tables and protocols to optimise paths.

• How has the network layer evolved with 2025 technologies?

  In 2025, the network layer has evolved with IPv6 expansion, AI-enhanced routing, and support for 5G and 400 Gbps networks, improving scalability and efficiency.