Ben Bradbury

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI):

ApplicationApplication is the highest level layer for both OSI and TCP/IP. The application
layer within the OSI model can be defined as the interface that makes it possible
for a user to view the information that it receives by displaying it on the screen.
PresentationThe presentation layer within the OSI model is layer six and can be described as
the data translator for a network. The presentation layer is responsible for
ensuring that data is delivered to the application layer and it ensures that it is
formatted correctly. Encryption is typically done within this layer, although it is
also possible within other layers.
SessionThe session layer is layer five within the OSI model. This layer makes it possible
for sessions between end user application processes to be opened, closed and
managed. Communication sessions are made up of many requests and
responses between applications that can then be opened closed and managed
because of the session layer.
TransportThe transport layer is layer four within the OSI model and can be defined as the
layer that provides communication services for applications. This is possible
because it provides end-to-end and host-to-host communication.
NetworkThe network layer is layer three within the OSI model. This can be defined as the
packet forwarding layer. The layer includes routing through intermediate routers.
This makes it possible for the network layer to function and transfer data
sequences of any length from a source to a destination through one or multiple
networks.
Data LinkThe data link layer is layer two within the OSI model. This layer is responsible for
creating multiple links across a network, this can be a WAN (wide area network)

Ben Bradbury
or a LAN (local area network). In order for this to work, the data link layer gathers
information and then transfers this in the form of frames.
PhysicalThe physical layer is the first layer within the OSI model. The physical layer is
made up of basic networking hardware transmission technologies within a
network. This layer makes it possible for data to be transported through a
network. It also allows hardware to use a carried network to send and receive
information.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

TCP/IP is protocols that are used in order to connect hosts across the World Wide
Web. This model is maintained by the internet engineering task force. TCP/IP is a
standard for all operating systems that are produced to allow all to connect
across the web. Network operating systems need to have their own protocols
such as Netware although they still need to use TCP/IP in order to work. This
model is to makes it possible to send information from a computer and it ensures
that it reaches its destination; to do this it makes sure that the data is
packetized, addressed, transmitted and routed. The highest level in the model is
the application layer, this contains the communication protocols across an
internet protocol computer network. This layer relies on the layer below it being
the transport layer. This is because it is needed to establish host to host data
transfer channels. The transport layer is responsible for allowing connections to
be established between software services across different devices. The Internet
layer is the next layer down, this contains the packet construct that will be
transmitted. The internet protocol (IP) is responsible for containing the source
and destination IP addresses and the data that needs to be delivered. The lowest
layer is the network access layer, this packs the data and functions into a single
component in order for it to be transmitted, the mapping of IP addresses and the
physical hardware addresses. The encapsulated frames are also for the use of
protocols for the physical transmission of data.

Comparison:
Both of the OSI and TCP/IP models have similarities and differences which make
them function in the most effective way possible. The main similarity between
them is the way that they are constructed because they both use layers.
However the OSI model is made up of seven layers, whereas the TCP/IP only
consists of four layers. Another similarity is the fact that the top layer for both
models is the application layer, this is responsible for carrying out the same
tasks for both layers, however this may vary due to the information that they
receive. The functions that are performed across both models will be similar
because they both use a transport and network layer in order to work. Both
models are mainly used for the transmission of data packets, they will do this in
different ways and through different paths, however they will still reach the
destination. One of the main differences is that the TCP/IP model does not use
presentation and session layers in order to work and therefore it takes a shorter
root to get to the application layer, whereas the OSI model needs them in order

Ben Bradbury
to work. The OSI model also uses a physical and a data link layer, however the
TCP/IP does not. This is because they are built within the network layer in order
for it to work. One of the main differences between the models are that the OSI
model is used as a guide in order for new models to be built around. Whereas the
TCP/IP model is the standard for the World Wide Web when it was first built, this
therefore shows that it must be very reliable.