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Seven-Layers-of-ISO-OSI-Model&id=349951

The ISO OSI model are explained below. The seven layers of the OSI model are:

 Application
 Presentation
 Session
 Transport
 Network
 Antiqua">Data Link
 Physical

1 Application layer:

This layer provides a means for the user to access information on the network through an
application. Many user applications that need to communicate over the network interact
with the Application layer protocol directly. The user applications are not part of OSI
Application layer, use the networking services offered by the networking protocol suite.
Application layer functions typically include identifying communication partners, and
determining availability of required resources. Some examples of application layer
implementations include Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol (SMTP).

2 Presentation layer:

Presentation layer converts local host computer data representations into a standard
network format for transmission on the network. On the receiving side, it changes the
network format into the appropriate host computer's format so that data can be utilized
independent of the host computer. ASCII and EBCDIC conversions, cryptography, and the
like are handled here. 
Examples of Presentation layer coding and conversion schemes include common data
representation formats, conversion of character representation formats, common data
compression schemes, and common data encryption schemes.

Presentation layer implementations are not typically associated with a particular protocol
stack. Some well-known standards for video include QuickTime and Motion Picture Experts
Group (MPEG). QuickTime is an Apple Computer specification for video and audio, and MPEG
is a standard for video compression and coding.

3. Session layer:

The session layer establishes, manages, and terminates communication sessions.

Communication sessions consist of service requests and service responses that occur
between applications located in different network devices. These requests and responses are
coordinated by protocols implemented at the session layer. Some examples of session-layer
implementations include AppleTalk's Zone Information Protocol (ZIP), and Decent Phase
Session Control Protocol (SCP).

4.Transport layer:
Transport layer is responsible for providing reliable service between the hosts. Upper layer
datagrams are broken down into manageable datagrams and then appropriate header
information (such as sequence number, port number, etc.) is added to the datagram before
passing it on to the Network layer. Two frequently used transport protocols are the TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol) and the UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

Important features of Transport layer:

 Transport layer ensures reliable service.

 Breaks the message (from sessions layer) into smaller datagrams, and appends
appropriate unit header information.
 Responsible for communicating with the Session layer

Important features of TCP/UDP:

 TCP/IP widely used protocol for Transport/Network layers

 TCP: (Transport Control Protocol) TCP ensures that a packet has reached its intended
destination by using an acknowledgement. If not, it retransmits the lost messages.
Hence, TCP is called a connection oriented protocol.
 UDP (Universal Data gram Protocol): UDP simply transmits packets over the internet.
It does not wait for an acknowledgement. It is the responsibility of upper layer
protocols to ensure that the information had reached the intended partner(s). Hence,
UDP is often called connectionless protocol.
 Application programs that do not need connection-oriented protocol generally use
UDP.

5. Network layer:

Network layer is responsible for the routing of packets through the entire network. The layer
uses logical addressing for this purpose. Note that the physical address (like MAC address)
keeps changing from hop to hop when a packet travels from source to destination. As a
result, an address that doesn't change is required to ensure continuity between hops. This is
nothing but logical address. For IP networks, IP address is the logical address; and for
Novell network, IPX address is the logical address, and so on. This layer also provides for
congestion control, and accounting information for the network. IP (Internet Protocol) is an
example of a network layer protocol.

6. Data link layer:

Data link layer provides delivery of information frames between communicating partners.
This layer is responsible for flow regulation, error detection and correction, and framing of
bits for transmission. The network data frame is made up of checksum, source address,
destination address, and the data itself. The largest frame size that can be sent is known as
the maximum transmission Unit (MTU).

Important features of Data link layer:

  Assembles bits into frames, making them ready for transmission over the network.

 Provides error detection, and correction to transmitted frames. If the checksum is

not correct, it asks for retransmission. (Send a control message).

 Consists of two sub layers:

1. Logical Link Control (LLC): Defines how data is transferred over the cable and
provides data link service to the higher layers.
2. Medium Access Control (MAC): Controls media access by regulating the
communicating nodes using pre-defined set of rules. (i.e. Token passing,
Ethernet [CSMA/CD] all have MAC sub-layer protocol).

Different Data link layer protocols define different network and protocol characteristics,
including physical addressing, network topology, error notification, sequencing of frames,
and flow control. Physical addressing (as opposed to logical addressing) defines how devices
are addressed at the data link layer. The protocols used in Data link layer are SLIP, PPP,
and CSLP.

7. Physical layer:

This is the bottom-most layer of the OSI model. The Physical layer handles the bit-level
communications across the physical medium. The physical medium could be made up of
wired electrical signals, or light, or radio (wireless) signals. Physical layer specifications
define characteristics such as media, data rates, maximum transmission distances, and
physical connectors.

Some of the important standards that deal with physical layer specifications are:

RS-232(for serial communication lines), X.21, EIA 232, and G730.

Physical layer and Data link layer implementations can be categorized as either LAN or WAN
specifications.

Vijayanand has done his post graduation (M.E.) in Communication Systems. He has several
years of experience in electronic assembly and design, rf testing, and networking. He is a
Cisco Certified Networking Professional, and an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems
Engineer). He is a director of Anand Software and Training Pvt. Ltd. Complete tutorial on
Networking is available at SimulationExams.com
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The TCP/IP model

TCP/IP is based on a four-layer reference model. All protocols that belong to the TCP/IP protocol suite are
located in the top three layers of this model.

As shown in the following illustration, each layer of the TCP/IP model corresponds to one or more layers of
the seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model proposed by the International
Standards Organization (ISO).

The types of services performed and protocols used at each layer within the TCP/IP model are described in
more detail in the following table.

Layer Description Prot

Application Defines TCP/IP application protocols and how host programs interface with transport layer services to HTTP
use the network. SMTP
proto

Transport Provides communication session management between host computers. Defines the level of service TCP,
and status of the connection used when transporting data.

Internet Packages data into IP datagrams, which contain source and destination address information that is IP, IC
used to forward the datagrams between hosts and across networks. Performs routing of IP
datagrams.

Network Specifies details of how data is physically sent through the network, including how bits are Ether
interface electrically signaled by hardware devices that interface directly with a network medium, such as Fram
coaxial cable, optical fiber, or twisted-pair copper wire.
For more information about ARP, IP, ICMP, IGMP, UDP, and TCP, see Understanding TCP/IP.
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TCP/IP Model Layers Explained

So, what does TCP/IP stand for? It is a suite of protocol which is named after its most significant pair of
protocols. That is Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. TCP/IP are are made up of layers.
Each layer is responsible for a set of computer network related tasks. Every layer provides service to the
the layer above it. There are in all four layers in the TCP/IP reference model.

 Application Layer: This is the topmost layer of the TCP/IP suite. This is responsible for coding of
the packet data.
 Transport layer: This layer monitors end to end path selections of the packets. It also provides
service to the application layer.
 Internet Layer: This layer is responsible for sending packets through different networks.
 Link Layer: It is the closest layer to the network hardware. It provides service to Internet layer.