Function of each layer in OSI model:

The layers of the OSI (Open System Interconnection) model are:

Physical Layer – Layer 1

The lowest layer of the OSI reference model is the physical layer. It is responsible for the
actual physical connection between the devices. The physical layer contains
information in the form of bits. It is responsible for transmitting individual bits from one
node to the next. When receiving data, this layer will get the signal received and convert
it into 0s and 1s and send them to the Data Link layer, which will put the frame back
together.

Functions of the Physical Layer

• Bit Synchronization: The physical layer provides the synchronization of the bits
by providing a clock. This clock controls both sender and receiver thus providing
synchronization at the bit level.
 • Bit Rate Control: The Physical layer also defines the transmission rate i.e. the
number of bits sent per second.
• Physical Topologies: Physical layer specifies how the different, devices/nodes
are arranged in a network i.e. bus, star, or mesh topology.
• Transmission Mode: Physical layer also defines how the data flows between the
two connected devices. The various transmission modes possible are Simplex,
half-duplex and full-duplex.

• Hub, Repeater, Modem, and Cables are Physical Layer devices.

• Network Layer, Data Link Layer, and Physical Layer are also known
as Lower Layers or Hardware Layers .

Data Link Layer (DLL) – Layer 2

The data link layer is responsible for the node-to-node delivery of the message. The
main function of this layer is to make sure data transfer is error-free from one node to
another, over the physical layer. When a packet arrives in a network, it is the
responsibility of the DLL to transmit it to the Host using its MAC address .
The Data Link Layer is divided into two sublayers:
• Logical Link Control (LLC)
• Media Access Control (MAC)
The packet received from the Network layer is further divided into frames depending on
the frame size of the NIC(Network Interface Card). DLL also encapsulates Sender and
Receiver’s MAC address in the header.
The Receiver’s MAC address is obtained by placing an ARP(Address Resolution
Protocol) request onto the wire asking “Who has that IP address?” and the destination
host will reply with its MAC address.
Functions of the Data Link Layer
• Framing: Framing is a function of the data link layer. It provides a way for a
sender to transmit a set of bits that are meaningful to the receiver. This can be
accomplished by attaching special bit patterns to the beginning and end of the
frame.
• Physical Addressing: After creating frames, the Data link layer adds physical
addresses (MAC addresses ) of the sender and/or receiver in the header of each
frame.
• Error Control: The data link layer provides the mechanism of error control in
which it detects and retransmits damaged or lost frames.
 • Flow Control: The data rate must be constant on both sides else the data may
get corrupted thus, flow control coordinates the amount of data that can be sent
before receiving an acknowledgment.
• Access Control: When a single communication channel is shared by multiple
devices, the MAC sub-layer of the data link layer helps to determine which
device has control over the channel at a given time.
• Packet in the Data Link layer is referred to as Frame.
• Data Link layer is handled by the NIC (Network Interface Card) and device drivers
of host machines.
• Switch & Bridge are Data Link Layer devices.

Network Layer – Layer 3

The network layer works for the transmission of data from one host to the other
located in different networks. It also takes care of packet routing i.e. selection of
the shortest path to transmit the packet, from the number of routes available.
The sender & receiver’s IP address es are placed in the header by the network
layer.
Functions of the Network Layer
• Routing: The network layer protocols determine which route is suitable from
source to destination. This function of the network layer is known as routing.
• Logical Addressing: To identify each device inter-network uniquely, the network
layer defines an addressing scheme. The sender & receiver’s IP addresses are
placed in the header by the network layer. Such an address distinguishes each
device uniquely and universally.
• Segment in the Network layer is referred to as Packet .
• Network layer is implemented by networking devices such as routers and
switches.

Transport Layer – Layer 4

The transport layer provides services to the application layer and takes
services from the network layer. The data in the transport layer is referred
to as Segments . It is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the
complete message. The transport layer also provides the acknowledgment
of the successful data transmission and re-transmits the data if an error is
found.
At the sender’s side: The transport layer receives the formatted data from
the upper layers, performs Segmentation , and also implements Flow and
error control to ensure proper data transmission. It also adds Source and
Destination port number s in its header and forwards the segmented data
to the Network Layer.

At the receiver’s side: Transport Layer reads the port number from its
header and forwards the Data which it has received to the respective
application. It also performs sequencing and reassembling of the
segmented data.

Functions of the Transport Layer

• Segmentation and Reassembly: This layer accepts the message

from the (session) layer, and breaks the message into smaller units.
Each of the segments produced has a header associated with it. The
transport layer at the destination station reassembles the message.

• Service Point Addressing: To deliver the message to the correct

process, the transport layer header includes a type of address called
service point address or port address. Thus by specifying this
address, the transport layer makes sure that the message is
delivered to the correct process.

Services Provided by Transport Layer

• Connection-Oriented Service

• Connectionless Service

1. Connection-Oriented Service: It is a three-phase process that

includes:

• Connection Establishment

• Data Transfer

• Termination/disconnection
In this type of transmission, the receiving device sends an
acknowledgment, back to the source after a packet or group of packets is
received. This type of transmission is reliable and secure.

2. Connectionless service: It is a one-phase process and includes Data

Transfer. In this type of transmission, the receiver does not acknowledge
receipt of a packet. This approach allows for much faster communication
between devices. Connection-oriented service is more reliable than
connectionless Service.