Which layer in the OSI model directly supports users and application tasks?

The application layer is the highest layer in the OSI model and is specifically designed to directly support user applications and tasks. It serves as the interface between the user applications and the network, providing various protocols that applications use to communicate over the network. This layer includes protocols such as HTTP, FTP, and SMTP, which are foundational for users to interact with the web, transfer files, and send emails respectively.

By focusing on the needs of end-users, the application layer facilitates a seamless experience in utilizing network services. It abstracts the complexities of the underlying layers, allowing users to perform their tasks without needing to understand the details of the data transmission processes that occur at the lower levels of the OSI model.

In contrast, other layers like the presentation layer handle data formatting, encryption, and decryption, while the transport layer is responsible for end-to-end communication and error handling between devices. The network layer is primarily concerned with data routing and addressing. While all these layers play important roles in network communication, only the application layer directly supports user functionalities and application tasks.