The Access Layer is sometimes referred to as the desktop layer.

• A. Access Layer
• B. Core Layer
• C. Distribution Layer
• D. Aggregation Layer

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is the naming and role of the Access Layer in a typical three-layer network design. The Access Layer is the edge of the network where end-user devices—desktops, laptops, phones, printers—connect to the network. Because these devices are usually located at desks in an office, this layer is sometimes called the desktop layer. It serves as the entry point for user devices into the network, handling the local access and ensuring devices can reach the broader network resources.

The other layers sit above this edge: the core layer provides the high-speed backbone for moving traffic across the network, and the distribution (or aggregation) layer sits between access and core, enforcing policies and routing between segments. So the descriptor desktop layer aligns with the Access Layer’s function as the immediate access point for user devices.