At which layer of the OSI model does HTTP operate?

The correct answer is C. Application Layer. HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is identified in HPE Aruba Networking documentation as an application protocol used to transfer data over the web. The same HPE Aruba Central documentation explains that HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted and how web servers and browsers respond to commands. This places HTTP at the application layer because it directly supports user-facing web communication rather than packet forwarding, addressing, framing, or physical transmission. HPE Aruba documentation also describes Deep Packet Inspection and AppRF as Layer 7 or Application Layer features that classify applications and web traffic, further supporting that HTTP is treated as application-layer traffic. Option A is incorrect because the Session Layer manages sessions between systems, but HTTP itself is not categorized there in this context. Option B is incorrect because the Network Layer handles IP addressing and routing. Option D is incorrect because the Data Link Layer handles local network framing, MAC addressing, and switching behavior.