# OSI Layer 3 - The Network Layer **Layer 3 is in charge of transferring fix-length packets between two hosts** that could be located in different networks, in which case they are routed **through intermediate nodes**. It is in charge of converting packets into frames which are used by the data link layer. ^fxxr86 ![[OSI Model - Wikipedia#^2pxvur]] **The network layer deals with addresses that can change over time, from network to network, and that are not fixed to a particular node** (unlike data link layer addresses). This means that a **network layer protocol is expected to handle converting network layer addresses to data link layer addresses**. ^aqoe7z It can be said that [[Router|routers]] live on the network layer, as they route traffic between computers on potentially different networks. ## Comparison to the Internet Protocol Suite's Internet Layer Note that although the two are often compared, the OSI Network Layer is distinct from [[Internet Layer|Internet protocol suite's internet layer]]. Any "direct or strict comparisons should be avoided, because the layering in TCP/IP is not a principal design criterion." ([[Link Layer - Wikipedia#^nf0r8i]]). ^oaa08u