OSI modle understanding the seven layers of

computer Networks

OSI MODEL or Open System Interconnection Model

Introduction:
An open system interconnection (OSI) modle is an reference tool for
understanding data communication between any two networked systems. In
1979 the Internation Standards Organization (ISO) published the Open System
Interconnection model , also known as ISO IS 7498.

The Open System Interconnection model is a seven-layer structure

that specifies the requirements for communications between two computers. The
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard 7498-1 defined this
model. This model allows all network elements to operate together, no matter
who created the protocols and what computer vendor supports them.

OSI MODEL is designed and it is used to understand how the data is transfered
from one computer to another in a computer network.

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Network follows a protocol to implement the transmission and reception of data
over a network medium (eg. Coaxial cable or LAN cable)

It divides the communications processes into seven layers. Each layer

both performs specific functions to support the layers above it and offers
services to the layers below it. The three lowest layers focus on passing
traffic through the network to an end system. The top four layers come into
play in the end system to complete the process.

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OVERVIEW OF SEVEN LAYERS OF COMPUTER NETWORK:
OSI MODEL BY LAYERS

If one computer is based on Microsoft windows and the other is based on MAC
OS Then how these computers are going to communicate with each other .

In order to accomplish successful communication between computers or

networks or different architectures 7 layers of OSI modle are used.

Layer 7 : Application layer

Layer 6 : presentation layer

Layer 5 : session layer

Layer 4 : transport layer

Layer 3 : network layer

Layer 2 : datalink layer

Layer 1 : physical layer

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 OSI model

Protocol data
Layer Function[6]
unit (PDU)

High-level APIs, including resource sharing, remote file

7 Application access

Translation of data between a networking service and an

6 Presentation Data application; including character encoding, data
compression and encryption/decryption

Host
layers
Managing communication sessions, i.e. continuous
5 Session exchange of information in the form of multiple back-and-
forth transmissions between two nodes

Reliable transmission of data segments between points on

4 Transport Segment, Datagram a network,
including segmentation, acknowledgement and multiplexing

Structuring and managing a multi-node network,

3 Network Packet including addressing, routing and traffic control
Media

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layers
Reliable transmission of data frames between two nodes
2 Data link Frame connected by a physical layer

Transmission and reception of raw bit streams over a

1 Physical Symbol physical medium

LAYER 7 : The Application layer

Application layer is used by network applications . Network application means

computer application that use INTERNET like google chrome , firefox, outlook and
skype .

Web browser is an network application running in your pc . It uses application

layer protocals like HTTP, HTTPs to do web serfing. Multimedia and video are
transfer to other device using applicatin layer.

There are dozens of Application layer protocals like HTTP, HTTPs, FTP , SMTP ,
Telnet as shown in the Aplication layer chart.

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Text book : It is the highest layer in the OSI model . Login, Password checking ,
file transfer, etc., are some of the function’s of the application layer. The
application layer contains a variety of protocols that are commonly needed by
users. One widely-used application protocol is HTTP ( Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol ), which is the basis for the World Wide Web.

Layer 6 : The presentation layer

 The presentation layer receives data from the application layer.

This data is in the form of correctors and numbers . These correctors and
numbers are converted into machine understandable format eg ASCII -------
EBCDIC . This function of presentation layer is called translation.

Before data is transmitted presentation layer reduces the number of bits that are
used to represent the original data this bit reduction process is called data
compression and it can be LOSSEY or LOSELESS

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Data compression is used to reduce the amount of space used to store the
original file. Presentation layer is very helpful in real time audio and video
screaming.

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To maintain the integratiy of data data is Encrypted. Encryption enhances the
security of encryption data . In sender side data is Encrypted and at the receiver
side data is Decrypted. Secure socket layer(SSL) is used for Encryption and
Decryption.

Text book : Presentation layer is concerned with the syntax and sematics of the
information transmitted. In order to make it possible for computers with different
data representation to communicate, the data structures to be exchanged can be
defined.

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Layer 5 : Session layer

 Session layer which enables sending and receiving of data.

Server perform the function called Authentication. Once the user name and
password are matched the session connects your computer and server.

After the Authentication the user Authorization is checked. Authorization is the

process to determine if you have the permission to access the file. If not you will
get the message saying you are not authorized.

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Session layer helps in session management , Authentication and Authorization.

Text book : Allows two application to establish , use and disconnect a connection
between them called a session. Provides for name recognition and additional
function like security, which are needed to allow applications to communicate
over the network.

1. Application : computer
2. Application : server

Layer 4 : transport layer

 Layer below the session layer is transport layer. Transport

layer controls the reliability of communication through segmentation , flow
control and error control.

Point : Now we are downloading the file from the server . server starts sending
the data at 50Mbbs whis is greater than the rate our mobile composes. So mobile
phone with the help of transport layer can tells the server to slow down data
transmission rate upto 10Mbbs so that no data gets lost.

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Similarly if server is sending data at 5Mbbs. Moblie phone tells the server to
increase data transmission at 10Mbbs . To maintain system performance.

Transport layer also helps in error control. Transport layer resends the data which
is encorrupted.

Text book : Ensures that data is delivered error free in sequence and with no
loss, duplications or corruption. This layer also repackages data by assembling
long message into lots of smaller messages for sending, and repackaging the
smaller messages into the original larger message at the receiving end.

Layer 3 : Network layer

This is responsible for messaging address and data so they are

send to the correct destination. This layer comes under transport layer.

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Text book : This is responsible for addressing messages and data so they are sent
to the correct destination, and for translating logical addresses and names (like a
machine name FLAME) into physical addresses. This layer is also responsible for
finding a path through the network to the destination computer.

Layer 2 Data link layer

Data link layer receives data from the Network layer. It is

responsible for transmitting a group of bits between adjacement nodes. The
group of bits so formed is called frame or packet.

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Text book : It is responsible for transmitting a group of bits between adjacement
nodes. The group of bits so formed is called frame or packets. This layer adds
header and tailer information to the data unit. If the service is reliable, the
receiver confirms correct receipt of each frame by sending back an
acknowledgment frame.

IEEE 802 divides the data link layer into two sub layers.

 Medium access control (MAC) layer – responsible for controlling how

devices in a network gain access to a medium and pressission to transmit
data.
 Logical link control (LLC) layer- responsible for identifying and
encapsulation network layer protocols and controls error checking and
frame synchronization.

The point - point Protocol (PPP) is a data link layer protocol that can operate over
several different physical, layers such as synchronous and asynchronous serial
lines.

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Layer 1: physical layer

The physical layer is concerned with transmitting raw bits over a

Communication channel. The design issues have to do with making sure that
when one side sends an 1 bit, it is received by the other side as a 1 bit, not as a 0
bit. (1 mark)

It is responsible for transmission and reception . it may define transmission mode

as simplex, half duplex and full duplex.

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