7 Layers of Computer Networking: #1 Physical Layer

What is Physical Layer in computer networks?

I’ve introduced the OSI Model, which describes how computers communicate and how computer networks work.

Here is the next post in the series explaining each communication step between computers.

The first step is simple — just look at the name — physical layer! Layer 1 is therefore responsible for a physical connection between the devices that talk to each other.

Physical connection means that you can track the cable from one device to another!

The infrastructure that supports layer 1 involves cables (e.g. Ethernet/LAN cable), hubs, repeaters, and modems. (What you can physically see and touch.)

Since computers exchange the raw data in bits (sets of zeros and ones), the physical layer must translate these bits into electrical signals (of a given voltage).

Learn From a $140k/y Engineer: Full Path To A Well-Paid Tech Career For Beginners

This is because only electrical signals CAN travel through the cables (physical media).

Another important agreement at the layer 1 level is the rate of bits per second sent from the sender to…