COMPARING AND CONTRASTING OSI MODEL AND TCP/IP MODEL

THE OSI MODEL

The OSI (Open System Interconnection) model is a layered framework for the design of network systems
that allows communication between all types of computer systems. The purpose of the OSI model is to
illustrate how communication between different systems can be undertaken without changing the logic
of the underlying hardware and software. It facilitates the understanding and designing of a network
architecture that is flexible, robust, and interoperable.

It consists of seven separate but related layers with each having functions logically grouped together,
where each layer defines a part of the process of moving information across a network. All layers work
together in the correct order to move data around the network.

The seven layers that make up the composition of the OSI model are: Physical (layer 1), data link (layer
2), Network (layer 3), Transport (layer 4), Session (layer 5), Presentation (layer 6) and Application (layer
7) as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Shows the ordered layers of an OSI model.

Within a single machine, each layer uses the services of the layer just below it. Layer 4, for example,
uses the services provided by layer 3 and provides services for layer 5. Between machines, a given layer
on one machine communicates with a corresponding layer on the other machine. This communication is
governed by an agreed-upon series of rules and conventions called protocols. Communication between
machines is called a peer-to-peer process under the protocols appropriate to a given layer.

THE TCP/IP MODEL

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a hierarchical protocol made up of

interactive modules, each of which provides a specific functionality. However, the modules are not
necessarily interdependent. Whereas the OSI model specifies which functions belong to each of its
layers, the layers of the TCP/IP protocol suite contain relatively independent protocols that can be mixed
and matched depending on the needs of the system. Each upper-level protocol is supported by one or
more lower-level protocols.
Based on the protocol standards that have been developed, the communication task for TCP/IP can be
organized into five relatively independent layers which are; Application layer, Transport layer, Internet
layer and Network access layer.

Looking at the layers we can say that the host-to-network layer is equivalent to the combination of the
physical and data link layers. The internet layer is equivalent to the network layer and the application
layer is roughly doing the job of the session, presentation and application layers with the transport layer
in TCP/IP having equivalence with transport layer in the OSI model as illustrated in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2. Shows OSI model layers with their equivalences with the TCP/IP model.

The described equivalences however do not necessarily imply equal performance of functions in the
respective models.

LAYERS IN OSI AND TCP/IP MODELS

Application Layer

This layer contains management functions and generally useful mechanisms that support distributed
applications. Application layer is common in both models. However in practice this layer includes
different services depending upon each model. OSI asserts that distributed applications operate over a
strict hierarchy of layers and are constructed from a common tool kit of standardized application service
elements. While in TCP/IP, each application entity is composed of whatever set of function it needs
beyond end to end transport to support a distributed communications service.

Presentation Layer

The presentation layer defines the format of the data to be exchanged between applications and offers
application programs a set of data transformation services. The presentation layer is also concerned
with the syntax and semantics of the information exchanged between two systems. This is found in the
ISO model where it handles data format information for networked communications. This is done by
converting data into a generic format that could be understood by both sides. This as well is not found in
the TCP/IP model, but its functions are provided by the Application layer which is yet to be described.

Session Layer

ISO model has a session layer which permits two parties to hold ongoing communications called a
session across a network. It is not found in TCP/IP model, its characteristics are provided by the
Transport Layer.

Transport Layer

The transport layer is responsible for process-to-process delivery of the entire message. Transport is
responsible for creating and maintaining the basic end-to-end connection between communicating open
systems, ensuring that the bits delivered to the receiver are the same as the bits transmitted by the
sender; in the same order and without modification, loss or duplication.

In OSI model, it takes the information to be sent and breaks it into individual packets that are sent and
reassembled into a complete message by the Transport Layer at the receiving node. It also provide a
signaling service for the remote node so that the sending node is notified when its data is received
successfully by the receiving node. Transport protocols provide the capability for multiple application
processes to access the network by using individual local addresses to determine the destination
process for each data stream.

In TCP/IP Transport Layer is defined in two standard transport protocols; TCP and UDP. TCP implements
a reliable data-stream Protocol connection oriented while UDP implements an unreliable data stream
connectionless. Primary difference is that UDP does not necessarily provide reliable data transmission.

Network Layer and Internet Layer

The network layer is found in the OSI model where it provides for the transfer of information between
end systems across some sort of communications network. Like all the other OSI Layers, the network
layer provides both connectionless and connection-oriented services. The equivalence of network layer
in the TCP/IP is Internet Layer which is concerned with routing data from source to destination host
through one or more networks connected by routers. It is exclusively connectionless. Both OSI and
TCP/IP support a connectionless network service: OSI as an alternative to network connections and
TCP/IP as the only way in use.

The internet network address is more commonly called the “IP address.” It consists of 32 bits, some of
which are allocated to a high-order network-number part and the remainder of which are allocated to a
low-order host-number part. Whilst for OSI model ISO/IEC and CCITT jointly administer the global
network addressing domain.

Data Link Layer, Physical Layer and Host-To-Network Layer

The function of the Data Link Layer provides for the control of the physical layer, and detects and
possibly corrects errors which may occur in the OSI model. In other words, the Data Link Layer
transforms a stream of raw bits (0s and 1s) from the physical into a data frame and provides an error-
free transfer from one node to another, allowing the layers above it to assume virtually error-free
transmission.

The physical layer in the OSI model coordinates the functions required to carry a bit stream over a
physical medium. Basically, this means that the typical role of the physical layer is to transform bits in a
computer system into electromagnetic (or equivalent) signals for a particular transmission medium
(wire, fiber, ether, etc.)

The Host-To-Network is concerned with the logical interface between an end system and a sub network
in the TCP/IP model.

COMPARISONS

In comparing the two models much consideration centers on how they perform their respective
communication functions, the models’ number of layer and how the layers relate in any other way.
Having gone through the layers of both models and there functions, below are immediate comparisons
that can be drawn

OSI MODEL TCP/IP MODEL

OSI stands for Open System Interconnection
because it allows any two different systems to
communicate regardless of their architecture.
OSI model has seven layers.
This model provides clear distinction between
services, and protocols.
TP/IP stands for Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol. It is named after
these protocols, being part of this model.
TCP/IP has four layers
It does not clearly distinguish between services,
interfaces & protocols.

In this model, Protocols do not fit well into the TCP and IP protocols fit well in the model.
model.
Session & Presentation layers are present in this There is no session and presentation layer in this
layer. model.
OSI model supports both connection oriented TCP/IP supports only connectionless
and connectionless in network layer but communication. In network layer but supports
connection oriented communication. In transport both in transport layer.
layer.
REFERENCES

www.easynotes.com manidur kaur

Data Communications and Networks by Behrouz A. Forouzan

Data and Computer Communications, 5TH edition by William Stalling