Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for the actual transmission of data?

The physical layer of the OSI model is responsible for the actual transmission of data. This layer deals with the hardware aspects of communication, including the physical mediums and devices used to send and receive data, such as cables, switches, and radio frequencies. It governs how bits are transmitted over the network, specifying the electrical, mechanical, and procedural standards necessary for the interface between the device and the transmission medium.

This layer ensures that data is conveyed across the physical connection and manages issues such as signal encoding, timing, and the physical characteristics of the transmission medium. By focusing on the actual transmission of raw binary data, the physical layer serves as the foundation for the higher layers in the OSI model, which handle more complex tasks such as data formatting, error checking, and routing.