OSI Model: The seven layers of the OSI model:

* The OSI or Open System Interconnection model is

developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO).
The OSI model defines a networking framework for
implementing protocols in seven layers.

* Control is passed from one layer to the next, starting at the

application layer in one station and proceeding to the bottom
layer, over the channel to the next station and back up the
hierarchy.

OSI Reference Model

1. The Physical Layer: Describes the physical properties of
the various communications media, as well as the electrical
properties and interpretation of the exchanged signals. This
layer defines the type of transmission medium, Representation
of bits, Data transfer rate, Synchronization of bits, Physical
topology.
2. The Data Link Layer: Describes the logical organization of
data bits transmitted on a particular medium. Supports
framing, error control and flow control. This layer defines the
framing, Physical addressing and error and flow control

3. The Network Layer: The network layer is responsible for

the delivery of individual packets from the source host to the
destination host. This layer defines the Logical addressing and
routing structure of the Internet.

4. The Transport Layer: Describes the quality and nature of

the data delivery. This layer deals with end to end
transmission. Supports error control and flow control. This
layer defines the segmentation and reassembly, connectionless
and connection oriented network.

5. The Session Layer: The session layer is the network dialog

controller. It establishes, maintains, and synchronizes the
interaction among communicating systems. The session layer
is responsible for dialog control and synchronization.

6. The Presentation Layer: The presentation layer is

concerned with the syntax and semantics of the information
exchanged between two systems. It describes how translation,
Encryption and compression takes place.
7. The Application Layer: Describes how real work actually
gets done. This layer would implement file system operations.

1. File Transfer: It allows a user to access, retrieve and

manage files on a remote computer.

2. Mail services: It provides the basis for email forwarding

and storage facilities.

3. Directory services: It provides distributed database sources

and access for global information about various objects and
services.