What is a layered model?

Models help us to
Network Layers visualize different
aspects of complex
abstract systems
The OSI and Internet Models

Layers represent
independent
components that can be
examined separately or
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsait/TrainingDoc/Documents/training/n in relation to each other
etwork-devices-presentation/sld005.htm

What is a layered model? What is a layered model?

Almost all Communication theorist Yochai
Example (Benklers
communication can be Benkler's layers of communication. layers in action)
broken down into
independent layers that
My brother in Sweden
work interdependently.
wants the recipe for my
famous 7-layer dip
The layers' (and protocols
between them)
conceptually represent What will we need to
negotiations between negotiate to communicate?
aspects of communication:
Content, logical (encoding)
and physical delivery of
messages. http://exonous.typepad.com/nkda/2004/week5/

What is a layered model? What is a layered model?

What are the ingredients?
What is the recipe?

How will we
What language communicate?
will we use?
Swedish or Verbally,
English? writing,
pictures?

How will we physically

transport the message?
E-mail, snail-mail, video,
telephone?

1
What is a layered model? What is a layered model?
Terminology 2 models for network communications

Service
Performance of a specific communication function OSI 7-Layer Model
Layer International Standards
Self contained set of related services Organizations Open
Interface Systems Interconnection
Defines which operations and services are offered between model
layers, from lower to the next layer up
Protocol
An agreement between communicating parties on how the TCP/IP Model
communication is to proceed (i.e., handshake) Developed by the
Stack Department of Defense
List of protocols used by a particular system

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The OSI Layered Model OSI Layers - What does each layer do?
OSI Open System The Physical Layer
Interconnection Defines all electrical and physical
Layered Approach specifications for devices.
Allows better interoperability Major Functions
between software and hardware Establishment & Termination of
Allows design of elaborate but Connections
highly reliable protocol stacks Connection Resolution & Flow Control
of Communication Resources
Modulation & Conversion between
Digital Data
Example radio, SCSI (Small
Computer System Interface)

OSI Layers - What does each layer do? OSI Layers - What does each layer do?
The Data Link Layer The Network Layer
Controls data transfer between Performs network routing, flow
network entities control, segmentation, and error
Performs error detection & control functions
correction The router operates at this layer
Uses physical/flat Addressing Uses local addressing scheme
Scheme Example IP, token ring
Example - Ethernet

2
OSI Layers - What does each layer do? OSI Layers - What does each layer do?
The Transport Layer The Session Layer
Provide transparent transfer of Provides mechanism for managing
data between end users the dialogue between end-user
Controls reliability of a given link application processes
Some protocols are stateful and Provides for either duplex or half-
connection oriented (cookies) duplex operation
Example TCP / UDP Responsible for setting up and
tearing down TCP/IP sessions
Example NetBIOS

OSI Layers - What does each layer do? OSI Layers - What does each layer do?
The Presentation Layer The Application Layer
Little to do with PowerPoint Provide semantic conversion
Controls syntactical differences in between associated application
data representation within end- processes
user systems Interfaces directly to and performs
MIME encoding is done at this common application services for
layer the application processes
Example - XML Example Telnet, Virtual Terminal

TCP/IP layered network model TCP/IP network model layers

Transmission Control Protocol and
Internet Protocol
Application

TCP/IP is a suite of protocols, also

known as the Internet Protocol
Transport Suite

It was originally developed for the

Internet US Department of Defense
Advanced Research Project Agency
(DARPA) network, but it is now the
Network basis for the Internet
access

3
TCP/IP Layers - What does each layer do? TCP/IP Layers - What does each layer do?
As with the OSI model, the TCP/IP suite The combination of datalink and physical
uses a layered model. layers deals with pure hardware (wires,
Application Application satellite links, network interface cards, etc.)
TCP/IP model has four or five - depending
Access methods such as CSMA/CD (carrier
on who you talk to and which books you sensed multiple access with collision
read! detection)
Transport Transport
Some people call it a four layer suite - Ethernet exists at the network access layer
Application, Transport, Internet and - its hardware operates at the physical
Network Access, others split the Network layer and its medium access control
Internet Access layer into its Physical and Internet method (CSMA/CD) operates at the
Datalink components. datalink layer.

Network Network
access access

TCP/IP Layers - What does each layer do? TCP/IP Layers - What does each layer do?
This layer is responsible for the The transport layer is similar to the OSI
routing and delivery of data across transport model, but with elements of the
OSI session layer functionality.
Application networks. Application
The two protocols found at the transport
It allows communication across layer are:
Transport networks of the same and different Transport TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): reliable,
types and carries out translations to connection-oriented protocol that provides
error checking and flow control through a
deal with dissimilar data addressing virtual link that it establishes and finally
schemes. IP (Internet Protocol) and terminates. Examples include FTP and Email
Internet ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Internet UDP (User Datagram Protocol): unreliable,
connectionless protocol that not error check
are both to be found at the Internet or offer any flow control. Examples include
layer. SNMP

Network Network
access access

TCP/IP Layers - What does each layer do? OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare?
This layer is broadly equivalent to the

application, presentation and session layers Similarities
Application of the OSI model. Based on a stack of independent protocols
It gives an application access to the Layers have roughly same functionality
communication environment. Transport layer and below provide network-
Transport independent transport services
Examples:
Layers above transport are application-oriented
Telnet
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) Why is this important?
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
Internet Easier to blend, use what works best

Network
access

4
OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare? OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare?
OSI: General model before protocols Number of layers
Model was conceptual, designers didnt know what OSI has 7, TCP/IP has 4
functionality to put in the layers Why does this matter?
Model is general, easier to replace protocols
Real world vs.
Model had to adjust when networks didnt match the conceptual
service specifications (wireless networks, internetworking)
TCP/IP: model describes existing protocols
Model only describes TCP/IP not useful for describing
any other networks (such as telephone networks)
Why does this matter?
Knowing which model to use for your context

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OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare? OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare?
Connectionless vs. connection-oriented OSI Flaws
OSI Bad Timing
Network layer supports both TCP/IP already well-established in academia
Transport layers supports only connection-oriented Bad Technology
TCP/IP Complicated, controversial model
Network layer supports only connectionless Unbalanced layers
Transport layers supports both Repeating functions
Why does this matter? Designed for communications, not computing
What do you need for your situation?

OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare? OSI & TCP/IP: How do they compare?
TCP/IP Flaws TCP/IP Flaws (contd)
Blurred lines No distinction between physical and data link
Doesnt clearly distinguish between layers
services (what a layer does), No description of transmission media, nor frame
interfaces (how the layer communicates) and delimiters
protocols (how the layer does what it does).
Why does this matter?
Too specific
Model is too specific, not specific enough
Model is only suited to describing TCP/IP, not other
networks
Protocols can be very specific, inflexible

5
Conclusion Questions?
Layered models are useful in describing
complex communication systems
Allows developers to focus on layers
independently
Applies to conceptualization as well as
implementation
Models vs. protocols
OSI model is useful in describing networks, but
protocols are too general
TCP/IP model is weak, but protocols are
specific and widely used