Which OSI layer is responsible for the presentation of data?

The correct choice is the Presentation layer, which plays a critical role in the OSI model by managing how data is presented to the user or application. This layer is responsible for translating, formatting, encrypting, or compressing data to ensure that it can be understood by the application layer above it, regardless of the underlying data representation.

Key functions of the Presentation layer include data translation (converting data formats), data compression (reducing the amount of data to be transmitted), and data encryption (ensuring security during transmission). For example, when a user is viewing an image file, the Presentation layer translates the binary data from the file into a format that the user's application can display as an image.

Understanding this layer's responsibilities is essential in networking because it ensures interoperability between different systems and applications by providing a common framework for data presentation.