WEEK 2

INTRODUCTION TO THE OSI

MODEL

Course Handling Faculty – Dr. Femilda

Josephin

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AGENDA
■ Protocols and its elements
■ Concept of Layers
■ OSI Model
■ Quiz

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Protocols
Protocols
■ Communicating worldwide will not be possible if there were no
fixed 'standards' that will govern the way user communicates
for data as well as the way our devices treat those data
■ For proper communication, entities in different systems must
speak the same language
– there must be mutually acceptable conventions and rules
about the content, timing and underlying mechanisms
 Those conventions and associated rules are referred as
“PROTOCOLS”

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 ELEMENTS OF PROTOCOLS
■ Syntax: The syntax defines the format of the data being transmitted, including the
size and structure of the packets being sent.

■ Semantics: The semantics define the meaning of the data being transmitted,
including how the data is interpreted and what actions should be taken in response
to it.
Does an address identify the route to be taken or the final of the message?
■ Timing: The timing defines when data is transmitted and how long each
transmission should last.
■ Error control: The error control mechanisms define how errors are detected,
reported, and corrected in the data transmission process.
■ Flow control: The flow control mechanisms manage the pace at which data is
transmitted to ensure that the receiving device can handle it.
■ Security: Security protocols define how data is encrypted and decrypted to protect
it from unauthorized access and interception.

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Concept of Layers
■ We use the concept of layers in our daily life.
■ As an example, let us consider two friends who communicate
through postal mail.
■ The process of sending a letter to a friend would be complex
if there were no services available from the post office.

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Concept of
Layers
■ Tasks involved in sending a
letter.
■ The tasks must be performed
in the order specified by the
hierarchy of the layers!
■ Each layer provides a specific
set of services.
■ Services are provided through
the definition of protocols.
■ Each layer uses the services
provided by the lower/above
layers.
■ Layers use protocols to
communicate with each
others.

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Concept of Layers
■ Layering provides two nice features:
– Decomposes the problem of building a network into more
manageable components.
– Provides a more modular design, modifying the functionality of the
different layers without affecting the whole system!

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The OSI Model
■ An ISO(International Organization for Standardization) standard that
covers all aspects of network communications is the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) model.
■ An open system is a set of protocol that allows any two different systems
to communicate regardless of their underlying architecture (H/W and
S/W).

ISO is the organization.

OSI is the model.

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 The OSI Model

■ The OSI model is a layered framework for the design

of network systems that allows for communication
between all types of computer systems.
■ It consists of seven separate but related layers, each of
which defines a part of the process of moving
information across a network.

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 The ISO/OSI Reference Model
Source: Computer Networks, Andrew Tanenbaum

The protocol stack: Application

•The idea behind the model: Break up
Presentation
the design to make implementation
simpler. Session
•Each layer has a well-defined
Transport
function.
•Layers pass to one another only the Network
information that is relevant at each
Data link
level.
•Communication happens only Physical
between adjacent layers.
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Decoding the 7 layers of the OSI
Model

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 The interaction between layers in the OSI
model

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 Organization of the Layers

■ The seven layers can be thought of as belonging to three subgroups:

1) Layers 1,2, and 3 – physical, data link, and network – are the
network support layers.
2) Layers 5,6, and 7 – session, presentation, and application – are
user support layers. They allow interoperability among unrelated
software systems.
3) Layer 4, the transport layer, links the two groups and ensures
that what the lower layers have transmitted is in a form that the
upper layers can use.
■ The upper OSI layers almost implemented in S/W;
■ Lower layers are combination of S/W and H/W
■ Except for the physical layer which is mostly H/W.

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 Encapsulation
■ Another aspect of data communications in the OSI model is
encapsulation.
– The data portion of a packet at level N-1 carries the whole packet (data and
header and maybe trailer) from level N.
– Level N-1 is not aware of which part of the encapsulated packet is data and
which part is the header or trailer.
– For level N-1, the whole packet coming from level N is treated as one logical
unit.

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Application Layer
■ This layer is the interface between the network and
the user, and it is where applications access the network
services.

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Functionality of Application Layer
1. Standardized Interfaces: Allows applications to access network
services across platforms.
2. Protocol Definition: Defines communication protocols like HTTP,
FTP, SMTP, and Telnet.
3. User Services: Supports email, file transfer, and web browsing.
4. Data Exchange: Ensures seamless data transfer between
applications on different hosts.

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Presentation Layer
■ This layer is responsible for data transformation and representation,
as well as data encryption and decryption.

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Functionality of Presentation
Layer
■ Data Representation: Standardizes data format across different
systems.
■ Data Compression: Reduces data size for faster transmission.
■ Encryption & Decryption: Secures data during transmission.
■ Syntax & Semantics: Ensures data is correctly interpreted by the
receiver.

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Session Layer
■ The session layer is responsible for managing and controlling the
communication session between two hosts.

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Functionality of Session Layer
■ Establishing, managing, and terminating sessions: The session
layer is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating
communication sessions between two hosts.
■ Synchronization: The session layer provides synchronization
between the sender and receiver to ensure that the data is
transmitted in the correct order.
■ Dialogue control: The session layer provides dialogue control
between the sender and receiver to ensure that they can take turns
transmitting data.
■ Error recovery: The session layer provides error recovery
mechanisms to recover from errors that occur during the
communication session.

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Transport Layer
■ The transport layer is responsible for providing end-to-end
communication services between applications running on
different hosts. Its main function is to ensure reliable and error-free
delivery of data between the sender and receiver.

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 Functionality of Transport Layer
■ Segmentation & Reassembly: Breaks data into segments and
reassembles them at the destination.
■ Connection Management: Establishes and terminates connections (TCP
for reliable, UDP for fast transmission).
■ Error Detection & Recovery: Ensures data integrity and retransmits lost
packets.
■ Flow Control: Regulates data flow to prevent receiver overload.

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Network Layer
■ The network layer is responsible for providing logical addressing,
routing, and fragmentation and reassembly of packets to
ensure efficient and reliable communication between nodes on
different networks.

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Functionality of Network Layer
■ Logical Addressing: Assigns unique IP addresses to network nodes.
■ Routing: Determines the best path for data transmission.
■ Fragmentation & Reassembly: Splits data into packets for
transmission and reassembles them at the destination.
■ Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes traffic based on delay, priority,
and performance needs.

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Datalink Layer
■ The primary function of the data link layer is to provide a reliable
and error-free communication link between two adjacent
network nodes, such as between two computers or between a
computer and a switch.

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 Functionality of Datalink Layer
■ Framing: Breaks data into frames, adding headers and trailers for control
information.
■ Media Access Control: Manages access to the transmission medium to
prevent collisions.
■ Error Detection & Correction: Uses CRC, checksum, or parity check to
ensure data integrity.
■ Flow Control: Regulates data flow to prevent receiver overload.
■ Addressing: Uses MAC addresses to identify source and destination for
accurate data delivery.

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The Physical Layer
■ The physical layer is the lowest layer in the OSI (Open Systems
Interconnection) model, which is a conceptual framework used to
standardize communication between different computer systems.
■ The primary function of the physical layer is to establish and maintain
the physical communication link between the devices that are
communicating with each other.

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Functionality of Physical Layer
■ Bit Transmission: Converts digital bits into signals for communication.
■ Signal Generation & Modulation: Creates and modulates signals to prevent distortion.
■ Transmission Medium: Defines physical properties, connectors, and interfaces.
■ Data Rate: Determines transmission speed based on bandwidth and signaling.
■ Transmission distance: The physical layer is responsible for defining the maximum
distance over which data can be transmitted without degradation of the signal.
■ Transmission mode: The physical layer defines the mode of transmission, which can be
simplex, half-duplex, or full-duplex.
 In simplex mode, data can only be transmitted in one direction.
 In half-duplex mode, data can be transmitted in both directions, but not
simultaneously.
 In full-duplex mode, data can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously.

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Examples of Physical Layer
Ethernet
■ Defines cable type (twisted pair, fiber optic) and connectors.
■ Sets cable length limits and data transmission rates.
■ Specifies signaling techniques for encoding digital data.
Wireless Communication
■ Determines radio frequency, modulation scheme, and transmission
power.
■ Defines maximum signal range and quality factors.
■ Considers interference and physical obstacles affecting the signal.

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Data Transmission

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Functionality of Layers

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Quiz
Which OSI layer is responsible for routing and forwarding packets between networks?
a) Application Layer
b) Transport Layer
c) Network Layer
d) Data Link Layer

Which OSI layer is responsible for establishing and managing connections between
applications on different hosts?
a) Transport Layer
b) Network Layer
c) Session Layer
d) Presentation Layer

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Quiz
Which OSI layer is responsible for translating data into a format that can be understood by
the application?
a) Presentation Layer
b) Transport Layer
c) Application Layer
d) Session Layer

Which OSI layer is responsible for providing a reliable, end-to-end data stream between
applications?
a) Transport Layer
b) Data Link Layer
c) Network Layer
d) Application Layer

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Quiz
Which OSI layer is responsible for defining the physical characteristics of the communication
medium?
a) Physical Layer
b) Data Link Layer
c) Network Layer
d) Transport Layer

Which OSI layer is responsible for providing services such as file transfers and email?
a) Application Layer
b) Presentation Layer
c) Session Layer
d) Transport Layer

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Quiz
Which OSI layer is responsible for encrypting and decrypting data for secure transmission
over a network?
a) Presentation Layer
b) Transport Layer
c) Session Layer
d) Application Layer

Which OSI layer is responsible for providing error recovery and flow control mechanisms for
end-to-end data transmission?
a) Physical Layer
b) Transport Layer
c) Network Layer
d) Data Link Layer

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Quiz
Which OSI layer is responsible for providing logical addressing and routing services for data
packets?
a) Network Layer
b) Transport Layer
c) Data Link Layer
d) Physical Layer

Which OSI layer is responsible for segmenting and reassembling data into smaller units for
transmission over the network?
a) Network Layer
b) Data Link Layer
c) Transport Layer
d) Physical Layer

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