What layer of networking does ARCnet mainly operate at?

ARCnet primarily operates at the Physical and Data Link layers of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. The Physical layer is responsible for the actual transmission of data over a communication medium, including the definition of electrical or optical signaling, while the Data Link layer provides node-to-node transfer and error detection and correction. Since ARCnet is a networking standard that uses a token-passing protocol to facilitate communication between devices over a network, it is fundamentally designed to manage the physical aspects of the network as well as the data transmission methods. This architecture allows it to maintain efficient communication and manage channel access, which are essential for a network that emphasizes reliable and orderly data flow. Other layers, such as Network or Transport, are not directly relevant to ARCnet's primary functions, which focus on the foundational aspects of how data is physically and logically transmitted across a network.