NAME ………………………….

MOSES TANAKA

SURNAME …………………….. CHIPANDA

REG CODE …………………….M192246

DEPARTMENT …………………INFORMATION SYSTEMS

LEVEL ………………………….2.1

COURSE CODE ………………... 1S202

MODULE ……………………….DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND COPUTER NETWORKS

LECTURER ……………………. Ms L. Winji

1.Functions and responsibilities of each layer of the OSI reference
model

This is one of the most traditional methods of networking that formed the base of protocols. it is
defined by seven layers. The existence of these layers tended to distinguish between each process
that occurred and to enable the model to run smoothly. Each layer has in this models serves the
layer which is above it and is facilitated by the layer below. This provide an effective path to the
data packets to get from transferred from one to another.

Level 1 physical

This layer represents the electrical and physical representation of the system. This can include
everything from the cable type, radio frequency link, as well as the layout of pins, voltage and
other physical requirements. When a networking problem occurs, many networking pros go right
to the physical layer to check that all of the cables are properly connected and that the power
plug has not been pull off from the router, switch or computer.

Level 2 data link

This layer provides node to node data transfer, and also handles error correction from the
physical layer. The two sub layers exist here as well the media access control layer and the
logical link control layer.

Level 3 network

In this layer this is where we find most of the router functionality. In its most basic sense the
layer is responsible for packet forwarding, including routing through different routers.

Level 4 transport

This layer deals with the coordination of the data transfer between end systems and host. It deals
with the how much data to send, at what rate, where it goes. The best known example of the
transport layer is the transmission control protocol which is built on top of the internet protocol
commonly known as TCP/IP, TCP and UDP port numbers work at layer 4, IP address work at
layer 3, the network layer.
Level5 session layer

Session layer being the fifth layer it gets services from the transport and it also provides services
to other layers that are chronologically above it like the presentation layer. This layer is
responsible for managing connection terms of any given session within the OSI protocol
reference model.

Level6 presentation layer

This layer mainly deals with the way data is presented. On different networks data presentation
differs or on different protocol layers so the presentation layer makes sure that data is presented
correctly or in accordance to the need of the network.

Level7 application

This is the one on the top. This is the layer that is the closest to the user. Applications that work
at this level are the one which interacts with the user directly.

Functions and responsibilities of each layer of the TCP/IP reference

model

The TCP/IP model was conceived in 1969. It only accommodates the TCP protocols. In this
model data is divide into packets to which addressing information, error correction code and
identification are added. The packets travel to their destination over the network and he receiving
PC checks for mistakes and pieces the data together in the right order. It ensures that data is
transmitted to its correct address (IP address). Every device on the internet has its IP address. It
also ensures that packets are rearranged to the original message on arrival of their destination.

Layers and their responsibilities in TCP model

Network interface layer

This is the first layer I the TCP/IP protocol. The responsibility of initiation of the whole process
lies on this layer. There are basically two processes which this layer looks after. First it has to
cater to the physical requirements of the system and secondly it has to deal with the organization
and transfer of data for the internet layer. It will determine how the data is supposed to be sent
over, electrically or optically. It also has to make sure what physical devices will be needed for
the process for example number of ports. This is layer where data will be converted from digital
to analogue form for transmission over the wires and then the network.

Internet layer

This is the second layer in TCP/IP model. The primary purpose or the internet layer stands to
ensure that the data packets are converted into IP datagram and are good enough to reach their
destination. To accomplish this each IP datagram is given an address where it has to reach and
the address is generally the IP address of the receiving machine. However the sorting and
sequencing of data in the correct order is the responsibility of all the higher level layers.

Transport layer

This is the third layer in the TCP/IP model and it holds a great amount of significance. The
primary purpose of this layer is to transport the data and send it over the transmission line. It is
always responsible of making sure that the data packets reach their desired destination and it
always makes sure that the data packets are accurate and error free. This is done by checking the
sequence of the data packets to make sure that there has not been any replacement, addition,
deleting and amendment. If there is any error, the data packets are corrected while passing
through the transport layer.

Application layer

This is the final layer in the TCP/IP protocol. The main purpose of this layer to provide an
interactive interface to the user which will be used to provide a number of facilities. The
protocols used in this layer provided at the application software which is running on a computer.
This is the layer which actually displays all the data to the user in a digital form. The application
layer defines the path through which the programs on the computer can communicate directly
with the transport layer.
2.Similarities between OSI and TCP/IP
-Both models are the logical models

-Both models define standards for networking

-Both models provide a framework for creating and implementing networking standards and
device

-Both models divide network communication process in layers

-Both models simplifies troubleshooting processes by dividing complex functions into simpler
components

-Both models allows manufacturer to make devices and network components that can coexist
and work with the device components made by other manufacturer

Differences between OSI and TCP/IP

OSI
-Has seven layers
-This model is no longer used
-This model is well documented and explains
standards and protocols in more details
-To define the routing protocols and standards
OSI uses network layers
-To define functionality of bottom layers OSI
uses two separate layers (physical and data
link)
-This model has a problem of fitting the
protocols in the model
-In this layer transport layer is connection
oriented
TCP/IP
-Has four layers
-This model is still used in computer
networking
-In this model less explanation and few details
are given
-To define the routing protocol and standards
the TCP uses internet layers
-Whilst TCP uses a single layer (link) for the
same
-Does not fit any protocol
-In this model transport layer is both
connection oriented and connection less
3. TCP/IP according to my research is the widely used model in modern day networking because
it is termed as one of the most secure and reliable models meaning it is so easy to correct errors
from the sending computer to the receiving destinations as it done automatically that’s why it is
used as a form of networking in most of the areas. The TCP/IP comprises of four layers which
interconnect and each layer carries its own task of the data transmission effectively with this
point it means that each and task in the transferring information is done by different layers
making it easy to monitor and maintain.

The TCP/IP model is always reliable enough to ensure the secure transmission of data packets
and insecure that there is minimum loss of data. This characteristic ensures fluent flow of data in
a system without any disturbance and loss in the process that’s it is widely used in modern day
networking. With this characteristic many companies favors TCP/IP model over OSI model
because with the use of TCP/IP it ensures the accuracy of data and the destination will receive
the data which has not been temped around with or altered during the transmission from the host.

The TCP/IP can be thought as a simplified form of the OSI model, with less and more dedicated
number of layers. All the processes starting from the sending of data to its receiving will be
catered by the layers of this model and this why the TCP/IP model is popularly used in modern
day networking.

To add more to that the TCP/IP model is widely used in modern day networking because it
defines how applications can create channels of communication across a network. It also
manages how a message is assembled into smaller packets before they are then transmitted over
the internet and reassembled in the right order at the destination address.
Because the TCP/IP model can controlled by a single company and it is easy to modify that’s
why it is widely used by modern networking companies. This model is also compatible with all
operating systems, so it can communicate with any other systems. The internet protocol suite is
also compatible with all types of computer hardware and networks.

The fact that the TCP/IP model has few explanation and few details it makes it easy to
understand and use that why it a widely used model in modern day networking. Many people or
computers tend to choose things which are complicated to perform or use in this case TCP/IP
models tend to be the easily between the two.