OSI Model

OSI
Model
OSI stands for Open System
Interconnection is a reference
model that describes how
information from
a software application in
one computer moves through a
physical medium to the software
application in another computer. It
has been developed by ISO –
‘International Organization of
Standardization‘, in the year 1984.
It is a 7 layer architecture with each
layer having specific functionality
to perform. All these 7 layers work
collaboratively to transmit the data
from one person to another across
the globe.
Physical Layer
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.
The functions of the physical layer are :
1.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 bit level.
2.Bit Rate Control: The Physical layer also defines the transmission rate
i.e. the number of bits sent per second.
3.Physical Topologies: Physical layer specifies the way in which the
different, devices/nodes are arranged in a network i.e. bus, star or mesh
topology.
4.Transmission Mode: Physical layer also defines the way in which the
data flows between the two connected devices. The various transmission
modes possible are: Simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex.
Data link Layer
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 DLL to transmit it to the Host using its
MAC address.
Data Link Layer is divided into two sub layers :

1. Logical Link Control (LLC)
2. Media Access Control (MAC)
The functions of the data Link layer are :
1.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.
2.Physical Addressing: After creating frames, Data link layer adds
physical addresses (MAC address) of sender and/or receiver in the header of
each frame.
3.Error Control: 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 that amount of data that can be
sent before receiving acknowledgement.
4.Access Control: When a single communication channel is shared by
multiple devices, MAC sub-layer of data link layer helps to determine which
device has control over the channel at a given time.
Network Layer
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 are placed in the header by the network layer.
The functions of the Network layer are :
1. Routing: The network layer protocols determine which route is suitable
from source to destination. This function of network layer is known as routing.
2. Logical Addressing: In order to identify each device on internetwork
uniquely, network layer defines an addressing scheme. The sender & receiver’s IP
address are placed in the header by network layer. Such an address distinguishes
each device uniquely and universally.
Transport Layer
Transport layer provides services to Application layer and takes
services from 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
acknowledgement of the successful data transmission and re-transmits
the data if an error is found.

The functions of the Transport Layer are :
1. Segmentation and Reassembly: This layer accepts the message

from the (session) layer , breaks the message into smaller units . Each of the
segment produced has a header associated with it. The transport layer at the
destination station reassembles the message.
2. Service Point Addressing: In order to deliver the message to
correct process, transport layer header includes a type of address called
service point address or port address. Thus by specifying this address,
transport layer makes sure that the message is delivered to the correct
process.
Session layer
This layer is responsible for establishment of connection, maintenance of
sessions, authentication and also ensures security.
The functions of the Session Layer are :
1.Session establishment, maintenance and termination: The layer
allows the two processes to establish, use and terminate a connection.
2.Synchronization : This layer allows a process to add checkpoints
which are considered as synchronization points into the data. These
synchronization point help to identify the error so that the data is re-
synchronized properly, and ends of the messages are not cut prematurely and
data loss is avoided.
3.Dialog Controller : The session layer allows two systems to start
communication with each other in half-duplex or full-duplex.
Presentation Layer
Presentation layer is also called the Translation layer. The data from the
application layer is extracted here and manipulated as per the required format
to transmit over the network.
The functions of the Presentation layer are :
1.Translation : For example, ASCII to EBCDIC.
2.Encryption/ Decryption : Data encryption translates the data into
another form or code. The encrypted data is known as the cipher text and the
decrypted data is known as plain text. A key value is used for encrypting as
well as decrypting data.
3.Compression: Reduces the number of bits that need to be transmitted
on the network.
Application Layer
At the very top of the OSI Reference Model stack of layers, we find
Application layer which is implemented by the network applications. These
applications produce the data, which has to be transferred over the network.
This layer also serves as a window for the application services to access the
network and for displaying the received information to the user.
The functions of the Application layer are :
1. Network Virtual Terminal
2. FTAM-File transfer access and management
3. Mail Services
4. Directory Services

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OSI

physical layer contains information in the form of bits. It is responsible

1.Bit Synchronization: The physical layer provides the synchronization

Data Link Layer is divided into two sub layers :

1.Framing: Framing is a function of the data link layer. It provides a way

Transport layer provides services to Application layer and takes

to as Segments. It is responsible for the End to End Delivery of the

complete message. The transport layer also provides the

acknowledgement of the successful data transmission and re-transmits

the data if an error is found.

1. Segmentation and Reassembly: This layer accepts the message

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