Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model

10 Jul

OSI stands for Open Systems Interconnection which is created by International Standards
Organization. This standerd was created as a framework and reference model to explain how
different networking technologies work together and interact
OSI not a standard that networking protocols must follow. Each layer has specific functions it
is responsible for. All layers work together in the correct order to move data around a
network.
Physical Layer
Physical Layer deals with all aspects of physically moving data from one computer to the
next. It converts data from the upper layers into 1s and 0s for transmission over media.
Basically it defines how data is encoded onto the media used to transmit the data. Cable
standards, wireless standards, and fiber optic standards are defined on this layer.Copper
wiring, fiber optic cable, radio frequencies, anything that can be used to transmit data is
defined on the Physical layer of the OSI Model. Hub, repeater are examples for a physical
layer device.

Hub

Repeater
Data Link Layer
Data Link Layer is responsible for moving frames from node to node or computer to
computer. It can move frames from one adjacent computer to another, but it cannot move
frames across routers. Data Link Layer requires MAC address or physical address to transfer
frames. Protocols defined in Data Link Layer include Ethernet Protocol and Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP).
Data Link Layer has two sub layers which are Logical Link Control (LLC) and the Media
Access Control (MAC).
Logical Link Control (LLC)
LLC manages Data Link layer addressing, flow control, address notification and error
correction
Media Access Control (MAC)
Determines which computer has access to the network media at any given time and ensure
where one frame ends and the next one starts, called frame synchronization.
Switch is an examples for a Data Link Layer device.

Network Switch
Network Layer
Network Layer responsible for moving packets (data) from one end of the network to the
other, called end-to-end communications. Requires logical addresses such as IP addresses.
Router is an examples for a Network Layer device.
Routing is the ability of various network devices and their related software to move data
packets from source to destination.

Router
Transport Layer
Transport Layer offers end-to-end communication between end devices through a network
depending on the application, the transport layer either offers reliable, connection-oriented or
connection less, best-effort communications.
Some of the functions offered by the transport layer include:

Application identification

Client-side entity identification

Confirmation that the entire message arrived intact

Segmentation of data for network transport

Control of data flow to prevent memory overruns

Establishment and maintenance of both ends of virtual circuits

Transmission-error detection

Realignment of segmented data in the correct order on the receiving side

Multiplexing or sharing of multiple sessions over a single physical link

The most common transport layer protocols are the connection-oriented TCP Transmission
Control Protocol (TCP) and the connection less UDP User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

Session Layer
Session layer, provides various services, including tracking the number of bytes that each end
ofthe session has acknowledged receiving from the other end of the session. This session
layer allows applications functioning on devices to establish, manage, and terminate a dialog
through a network.

Session layer functionality includes:

Virtual connection between application entities

Synchronization of data flow

Creation of dialog units

Connection parameter negotiations

Partitioning of services into functional groups

Acknowledgements of data received during a session

Retransmission of data if it is not received by a device

Presentation Layer
Presentation layer, is responsible for how an application formats the data to be sent out onto
the network. The presentation layer basically allows an application to read (or understand) the
message.
Presentation layer functionality include:

Encryption and decryption of a message for security

Compression and expansion of a message so that it travels efficiently

Graphics formatting

Content translation

System-specific translation

Application Layer
Application layer, provides an interface for the end user operating a device connected to a
network.This layer is what the user sees, in terms of loading an application (such as Web
browser or e-mail); that is, this application layer is the data the user views, while using these
applications.
Application layer functionality include:

Support for file transfers

Ability to print on a network

Electronic mail

Electronic messaging

Browsing the World Wide Web