During the TCP/IP encapsulation process, to which layer do segments travel when a PC sends data?

In the context of the TCP/IP encapsulation process, when a PC sends data, segments primarily travel through the Transport layer. This layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating connections, as well as ensuring reliable transmission of data segments between devices.

To elaborate, when a data transmission occurs, segments are first created at the Transport layer, where they are encapsulated with headers that include important information such as source and destination ports. This allows the data to be properly routed to the intended application on the receiving device.

Once the segments are ready, they proceed to the Internet layer for further encapsulation into packets, which includes adding an IP header that handles addressing and routing. Following this, the Network access layer is involved in the final encapsulation into frames for transmission over the physical network medium. Each layer plays a crucial role in ensuring that the data is correctly formatted for transmission over the respective network segments.

Thus, while segments are generated and manipulated at the Transport layer, they are then handed off to the Internet layer as they continue through the encapsulation process. This understanding of how data travels through these layers is essential for grasping the overall TCP/IP model and the significance of each layer's role in the encapsulation of data.