The ISO/OSI

REFERENCE MODEL
ISO
“International Organization for
Standardization”, an independent, non-
governmental international organization with a
membership of 162 national standards bodies
.

OSI
“Open System Interconnection”,
a reference model for how applications can
communicate over a network
Feature of OSI Model
Big picture of communication over network is
understandable through this OSI model.
We see how hardware and software work together.
We can understand new technologies as they are
developed.
Troubleshooting is easier by separate networks.
Can be used to compare basic functional
relationships on different networks.
Principles of OSI Reference Model
The OSI reference model has 7 layers. The principles that
were applied to arrive at the seven layers can be briefly
summarized as follows:
A layer should be created where a different abstraction is
needed.
Each layer should perform a well-defined function.
The function of each layer should be chosen with an eye
toward defining internationally standardized protocols.
The layer boundaries should be chosen to minimize the
information flow across the interfaces.
The number of layers should be large enough that distinct
functions need not be thrown together in the same layer out of
necessity and small enough that architecture does not
become unwieldly.
THE
ISO/OSI
REFERENCE
MODEL
concerned with transmitting raw bits over a
communication channel.
concerned mainly with the hardware connection.
defines the mechanical and electrical
specification of a network medium and network
interface hardware.
responsible for the physical media connections

and specifications, data transmission, and

reception from media.
connects adjacent nodes physically and
electrically
IBM Compatible IBM Compatible

Cable
time

volts

The Physical
Layer
Data Link Layer
11001010 Data Link 11001010
Physical Layer 10 header
10 trailer
Layer

concerned with coding, addressing and transmitting information.

responsible for the sending and receiving of bits to and from the physical
layer.

responsible for data framing, error control, flow control and physical
addressing.

adds its own control information to the front of the data packet
including
the following;
1. a source address
2. destination address
3. length of frame
The Network Layer
Network A: Ethernet

router

Network B
Token
Ring
 The network layer is one layer above data link
later, which ensures that information arrive at its
intended destination at the desired format.
Its function is to establish, maintain and
provide an open path for information to travel across
the network and thus make the actual route
transparent and insignificant of any other layer.
The primary objective of network layer is to
move or route information across a network made up
of multiple network segments.
Functions;
transports, routes, message handling and
transfer of data.

Responsible for routing data across the link,

message fragmentation

Routes data in “packets” between source

destination.

Controls traffic and congestion in the

network
 The Transport Layer
Network A Network B

Workstation IBM Compatible Workstation IBM Compatible

MAIL
 The Transport Layer acts as the interface
between the higher layers and the lower three layers.
This layer ensures reliable data delivery often
compensating for the lack of reliability in the lower
layers.
places data exchange to match end-point
processing capacity and enciphers user data if
needed for security purposes.
Responsible for reliable end-to-end
communication
Implementations can usually confirm or deny data
delivery

The application software may take corrective action or

provide the user with options.

Makes use of a variety of mechanisms such us;

1. acknowledgement messages
2. sequence numbers
3. flow control
The Session Layer
Mabuhay! Hey, Myline may I speak with you? Over
Do I know you? Over
Yes, this is Aly. Over
Oh, Hi Aly. What do you need? Over.
Send me the source code of the program. Over.
Sure thing. Here it comes! Over

Network Server Remote Server

 The session layer adds control mechanism to
the data that establish, maintain, synchronize, and
manage dialog between communicating applications.
The session layer is also generally thought to
be the home of Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs). RPCs
send information across the network in a manner that
is almost transparent to the user.
Handles the details that must be agreed upon and
followed by the communicating parties that
exchange the information.

Maintains the session between the devices for as

long as it is needed.

Coordinates and regulates the transfer of

information between them.

Responsible for establishing, maintaining

and
coordinating communication.
 Responsible for session management, session
error control, dialog control, (coordination and
synchronization) and remote procedure calls.

Synchronizes flow between end-points,

correlates exchanges and groups related data into
indivisible units
THE PRESENTATION LAYER
Session Presentation Application

Send me the
100101010111000 source
010101010001010 code and
010101010010000 all the
110101010010100 associated
files.
The presentation layer transforms data into a
mutually agreed-upon format (transfer syntax) that
can be understood by each application and the
computers they run on.
responsible for the text formatting, code
conversion and display.
responsible for data formats, data format
translation, data compression and data encryption
and decryption.
formats data for different presentation media
and coordinates resource sharing.
the primary function is to present the data into
a form that can be understood by the user
 the presentation layer’s tasks generally
include interpreting codes such as tabs and
other codes related to presentation.
it may also govern converting encryption and
other codes into a well-defined format.
responsible for translating and interpreting
different character sets so that they may be
presented in a manner that can be understood by
the end-users
The Application Layer
The Application Layer specifies the communication
interface with the user and manages
communication between computer applications.
The application layer contains variety of protocols that
are commonly needed for various applications.
Functions:
concerned with program to program transfer of
information
Provides application services such as distributed
database access and document interchange to network
users
Responsible for user interface and applications
Example of network application are as follows:
1. File access / transfer
2. Virtual terminal transfer
3. Network management
4. Directory services
5. Mail transfer service
 Physical Path

User Data
Sending Process Receiving Process

AH Data

PH Data

SH Data

TH Data

NH Data

DH Data DT

Bits

Communication Path

Logical Path
 End-User Application Programs

Distributed information
services

File transfer, access and management,

document and message interchange, job APPLICATION LAYER
transfer and manipulation.

Syntax-independent
message interchange
service

Transfer syntax negotiation data PRESENTATION LAYER

representation transformation

Dialog and synchronization control for

application entities SESSION LAYER
 Network-independent message
interchange service

End-to-end message transfer (connection

management, error control, TRANSPORT LAYER
fragmentation and flow control

Network routing, addressing, call setup

and clearing NETWORK LAYER

Data Link Control (framing, data

transparency, error control DATA LINK LAYER
Mechanical and electrical network
interface definitions
PHYSICAL LAYER

Physical connection to network

termination equipment

Data Communications Network

Protocol Layer Summary of the ISO/OSI Reference Model

Merits of OSI reference model
OSI model distinguishes well between the
services, interfaces and protocols.
Protocols of OSI model are very well hidden.
Protocols can be replaced by new protocols
as technology changes.
Supports connection oriented services as well
as connectionless service.
Demerits of OSI reference model
Model was devised before the invention of protocols.
Fitting of protocols is tedious task.
It is just used as a reference model.
 OSI
Services
Two types of services to the layer of OSI
Reference Model:
 Connection-Oriented Service
- the service user first establishes a connection,
uses this connection and then terminates the
connection when it is no longer needed.
Reliable connection-oriented service has
two minor variations:
• Message sequences
• Byte streams
  Connectionless Service
- adapts the postal system model. Each of the message (or letter
in postal system) carries the full destination address and is
routed independently through the system.
Service Example
Connection-oriented Reliable message Sequence of pages
stream
Reliable byte stream Remote login
Unreliable connection Digitized voice
Connectionless Unreliable datagram Electronic junk mail
Acknowledged Registered mail
datagram
Request-reply Database query

Examples of Different Types of Service

END