OSI REFERENCE MODEL

Open Systems Interconnection

A seven layer architecture that standardizes levels of service and types of interaction for computers exchanging information through a network. It is
used to describe the flow of data between the physical connection to the network and the end-user application. This model initial development in
1977, by the ISO (International Standards Organization), redesigned and released for general use in 1984, is the best known and most widely used
model for describing networking environments. It is largely based on the SNA, Systems Network Architecture, model developed by IBM in 1974,
but could not be used because of prioritization by IBM.

General Overview

Layer Layer Data Unit Services and Focus

Number Name Sub Layer Name Hardware Devices
Protocol Support
7 Application Messages Some Gateways Program to Program transfer of
information.

6 Presentation Redirector Service Text formatting and display code

conversion.

5 Session Establishing, maintaining, and

coordinating communication.

4 Transport Segments Accurate delivery, service quality.

3 Network Packets or Most Gateways, Routers Transport routes, message handling and
Datagrams and Brouters transfer.

2 Data Link Media Access Control Frames Bridges Coding, addressing, and transmitting
MAC PPP information.
Logical Link Control
LLC
1 Physical Signals or Bits Repeaters Hardware connections.
SLIP & PPP
OSI REFERENCE MODEL
Layer Descriptions

Application:
The top (seventh) layer of the OSI model. This layer serves as the window which application processes use to access the network services. This layer
represents the services that directly support the user applications such as software for file transfers, database access, and e-mail. Basically it
connects the user to the network. Some of the more popular application protocols that provide application-to-application interaction and data
exchange include, FTAM, FTP, SMTP, Telnet and in the case of NetWare NCP, (NetWare Core Protocol), used to exchange information between
NetWare servers and clients.

Presentation:
The sixth layer of the OSI model. This layer determines the form used to exchange data between networked computers. At the sending computer,
this layer translates data from a format sent down from the Application layer into a commonly recognized, intermediary format. At the receiving
end, this layer translates the intermediary format into a format useful to that computers Application layer. Also manages network security issues by
providing services such as data encryption/de-encryption. Provides rules for data transfer and provides data compression/de-compression to
reduce the number of bits that need to be transmitted.

Session:
The fifth layer of the OSI model. This layer allows two applications on different computers to establish, use or maintain, and end or terminate a
connection called a session. This layer performs name recognition and the functions, such as security, needed to allow two applications to
communicate over the network. This layer also implements dialog control between to nodes regulating which side transmits, when, for how long,
and so on. Also this layer attempts to handle any errors generated by the upper layers.

Transport:
The fourth layer of the OSI model. It provides the upper layers with a communication channel. This layer ensures that messages are delivered error-
free, in sequence, and with no losses or duplications, through the use of checksums. This layer repackages messages into segments, for their efficient
transmission over the network. At the receiving end, the layer unpacks the segments, reassembles the original messages, and sends an
acknowledgment, ACK, of receipt.
 OSI REFERENCE MODEL
Network:
The third layer of the OSI model. This layer is responsible for addressing messages and translating logical addresses and names into physical
addresses. Assembles/disassembles packets from/to segments for network transmissions. Determines the route from the source to the destination
computer. It determines which path the data should take based on network conditions, priority of service, and other factors. Also manages traffic
problems such as switching, routing, and controlling the congestion of data packets on the network.

Data Link:
The second layer in the OSI model. This layer packages raw bits from the physical layer into data frames. Controls access to the communication
channel, the flow of data, identifies specific computers on the network and detects and corrects transmission errors that occurred in the physical
layer.

This layer contains two Sub-Layers as defined by the IEEE 802 specification, (see IEEE Project 802). The Media Access Control and Logical Link
Control sub-layers. The 802 specification was developed to specify the cable and topology characteristics of all wiring systems.

MAC, the Media Access Control, sub-layer communicates directly with the network adapter card and is responsible for delivering error-free data
between two computers on the network. AKA the MAC controls the means by which multiple devices share the media channel and provides
addressing information for communications between network devices.

LLC, the Logical Link Control, sub-layer is the upper sub-layer that manages data link communications and defines the use of logical interface
points called Service Access Points, (Sap’s), that are used by computers to transfer information from the LLC sub-layer to the upper OSI layers. So
it could be said that the LLC establishes and maintains logical links between communicating devices.

Physical:
The first (bottom most) layer of the OSI model. This layer addresses the transmission of unstructured raw data bit streams over the physical
medium, the networking cable. The physical relates the electrical/optical, mechanical, and functional interfaces to the cable. The physical layer
also carries the signals that transmit data generated by all of the higher OSI layers.
 IEEE Project 802
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
A networking model developed by the IEEE. Project 802, named for the year and month it began (February 1980), defines LAN standards for the
Physical and Data Link layers of the OSI model. The 802 project divides the Data Link layer into two sub-layers: Media Access Control (MAC) and
Logical Link Control (LLC).

Project 802 specifically defines the functionality of ETHERNET NETWORKS, but today is used by non ethernet networks, for the Logical Link
Control sub-layer in Standard 802.2 and defined functionality for the Media Access Control sub-layer and the Physical layer in Standards 802.3,
802.4, and 802.5.

802.3, defines standards for logical bus, (straight line), networks, such as Ethernet, that use a mechanism called carrier-sense multiple access with
collision detection (CSMA/CD). This protocol regulates network traffic by allowing a broadcast only when the wire is clear and no other computer is
broadcasting.

802.4, defines standards for a token-passing bus network, not the IBM Token Ring topology. This is a bus layout that uses a broadcast. Every
computer receives all the data but only the ones addressed respond to the broadcast. A token that travels the wire determines which computer is able
to broadcast. An example of a token passing network using this standard is Digital’s Arc-Net.

802.5, defines standards for token-passing ring networks. This is a logical ring network that transmits at either 4 Mpbs or 16 Mbps. Even though this
is called a ring, it uses a hub and is configured as a star. A token traveling around the physical ring inside the hub determines which computer may
send data.