Understanding The Seven Layer OSI Model In Detail

Every guy studying or working with computers has heard about OSI model. People
working in networking have to deal with this on a daily basis, whereas students need to
understand this for their networking subject. There’s a lot of confusion around this OSI
model which makes it look more sophisticated than it actually is, making students hate it
even more. However, if understood properly OSI model will be one of the easiest topic in
networking.

In this post, we’ll try to breakdown each layer systematically and try to explain it briefly in
simple terms. You may come across books and long 4-5 pages articles or 40-50 minutes
video explaining it. Those are great, but they dive right into the depth explaining each and
everything in great details. In this post, we’ll try to paint a basic idea in your mind. Keep it
simple to you can easily understand what happens where. Once you get an overview, you
can then dive deep into it and understand it if you want to. We’ll give you enough
knowledge to even write and explain it in your own words if you want to.

What is OSI model?

The Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI) is a conceptual model which was
introduced to standardized the way data is transferred and received on the network all over
the world. In simple words, it is a standard model for systems to communicate with each
other. Following the OSI model has helped IT professionals deal with problems easily,
because every country, every city is using the same set of rules and protocols for
transferring and receiving data.

When a data packet is being transferred and received over any network various layers take
part. Collection of all these layers is OSI model. To understand OSI model, we need to
understand each layer. There are 7 layers in OSI model:
Physical, Data-link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation and Application layer.
We can use a mnemonic to remember these layers. A great mnemonic will be

Please Do Not Throw Sushi and Pizza Away.

OSI model!

Let’s simplify each layer.

1. Physical Layer:

This layer deals with the physical connection between the two devices which are trying to
communicate. Which means the patch cable connecting two computers is the Physical layer
of the OSI model. The first thing while troubleshooting a network problem is to check for
physical layer connection. 95% of time this will solve your problem.

2. Data-link Layer:
Computers usually store the logical address of the recipient. Now the data it is about to
send will be addressed to the logical address but cannot be sent directly to it, because the
logical address is just for the understanding of the computer. We work with physical
address. So, we need a device which translates the logical address into physical address and
this process takes place in data-link layer with the help of Switches. Encapsulation of data
into frames takes place in this layer.

3. Network Layer:

The network layer is the most critical layer of OSI model. In this layer, basic questions like
which protocols to be used? The best route to destination? Or the shortest path to the
recipient? Routers work in the Network Layer. Network layer is also responsible for
encapsulating segments into packets.

4. Transport Layer:

This is where http comes into the picture. A connection is established with the recipient
using the TCP protocol. A number is assigned to each packet. Now, Transport layer
determines the number of packet to be sent at a time and packets to be sent to avoid
congestion. It basically deals with how much information should be transported in one go.

5. Session Layer:

When you connect to a web server or login into one, the server starts a session between
your machine and the web server. A token is used to recognize each session, usually a
number which is unique. Creating a new session is like creating a new identity. The web
server will then find you by your session id. Apache and Php config files usually define
how to create a session.
Sessions play an important role during online transactions and in e-commerce websites.
Http is a stateless protocol, hence when you move from one page to another, you will lose
your data as http doesn’t care about which data was with you before. Sessions makes sure
your data is intact irrespective of which protocol or page you’re on.

6. Presentation Layer:

Every webpage has texts, images, videos, html files. Presentation layer recognizes these
common formats and displays them. This is where your Operating System comes into
picture. If you don’t have audio driver and you try to play a song, the presentation layer
will tell you it can’t do so because of absence of audio drivers.

7. Application Layer:

Students usually consider Firefox or Chrome or Internet Explorer as Application Layer.

These browsers are not the application layers. The common protocols used by these
browsers are application layer. This is where the data is actually shown to the users via the
browsers. But the common protocols used by the browsers and applications like Skype or
Yahoo Messenger are application layer.

To troubleshoot any problem, we can simply put our  understanding of OSI model into use.

If you have understood each layer and know its working, we can find our any problem
within few minutes. Once we know the problem, we can then start working on it.
Understanding The Seven Layer OSI Model In Detail

By: OnlineCmag Team | Last Updated: 1st September 2018

OSI or Open System Interconnection model represented in seven different layers forms the
basic definition for the standard networking framework. Every network today abides by the
OSI model, stipulated by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This
method is nothing more than a conceptual framework and has no part to play in the
networking process.

The OSI model was created with the primary aim of laying a reference path for all the
different product vendors to work on common lines. The seven layers are associated with a
particular set of tasks and protocols and are directly linked to each other. In this article, we
talk about each of the seven layers of OSI model
Physical Layer – Layer 1

The physical layer is the lower most layer of the OSI model. This layer is concerned with
the hardware and its entire operation is limited to sending and receiving bits (1s and 0s).

The physical layer describes the electrical, mechanical and various functional requirements
for undertaking all the communications (i.e. data transfer) between systems.

Data Link Layer – Layer 2

The data Link layer is on top of the physical layer and ensures transfer of data between
various modules via the physical layer. The encoding of bits while moving down the layers
and the decoding while moving up the layered stack to reach the destination is controlled
by the data link layer.  Internally this layer is further divided as Media Access Control
(MAC) layer and the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer.

Network Layer – Layer 3

This layer particularly determines the way in which data is to be sent to recipient devices.
This layer knows the addresses of all the neighbor nodes, within the network.

The various operations such as routing and forwarding, addressing, error handling and
packet sequencing are taken up at this layer. It is in the network layer, protocols like IP,
DHCP, RIP, MARS etc. work.

Transport Layer – Layer 4

This layer allows the transparent, lossless, error-free transfer of data. It also has the ability
to split the message received from the above layers into smaller units before passing on to
the network layer.

Of the various protocols the UDP and the TCP are the most commonly known protocols
that work in this layer.

Session Layer – Layer 5

The session layer controls all the connections between applications. It establishes, manages
and also terminates these connections. Each such connection is called a session and hence
the name, session layer.

The common protocols within the session layer include the DNS, SQL, NFS etc.

Presentation Layer – Layer 6

This layer translates the data from the lower layers into standard form which the application
layer can understand and vice-versa. This layer completely offers translation services and
helps the application layer communicate with the other layers below it properly.

The other notable functions that are present within this layer help in data compression and
decompression, data encryption and decryption.

Application Layer – Layer 7

This is the layer which interacts with the operating systems or applications in computers.
This layer is the top most layer of the entire OSI layer model and is probably the more
sophisticated one among the lot.

 e OSI Model
December 5, 2017 SAMEER YADAV
The Open System Interconnection (OSI) model defines a networking framework to
implement protocols in seven layers. You must at first understand that OSI model is not
tangible rather it is conceptual. You can encounter questions related to OSI model in
Computer section of upcoming NICL AO and other banking recruitment exams. Although
from bank exam’s point of view you do not need to dive much deep into the technicality of
the topic and networking concepts but a basic knowledge is required as questions can be
framed from the OSI Models concept. Keep on reading to know the basic concepts and
terminology of OSI Model.

The International Standards Organization (ISO) developed the Open Systems

Interconnection (OSI) model. Layers 1-4 are considered the lower layers, and mostly
concern themselves with moving data around. Layers 5-7, the upper layers, contain
application-level data. Each layer has a protocol data unit which is an open-system
interconnection (OSI) term used in telecommunications that refers to a group of
information added or removed by a layer of the OSI model. OSI layer may also have
specific protocols which are a set of rules that governs the communications between
computers on a network.
LAYER 1- PHYSICAL LAYER
The physical layer, the lowest layer of the OSI model, is concerned with the transmission
and reception of the unstructured raw bit stream over a physical medium. It provides the
hardware means of sending and receiving data on a carrier network.
Networking Device  – Hub, Network Interface Card (NIC), repeater, gateway
Protocol Data Unit  – Bit
Some Protocols – Ethernet
The physical layer of the network focuses on hardware elements, such as cables, repeaters,
and network interface cards. By far the most common protocol used at the physical layer is
Ethernet. For example, an Ethernet network (such as 10BaseT or 100BaseTX) specifies the
type of cables that can be used, the optimal topology (star vs. bus, etc.), the maximum
length of cables, etc.
 
LAYER 2 – DATA LINK LAYER
When obtaining data from the Physical layer, the Data Link layer checks for physical
transmission errors and packages bits into data “frames”. The data link layer provides
error-free transfer of data frames from one node to another over the physical layer,
allowing layers above it to assume virtually error-free transmission over the link.
The data link layer is divided into two sub layers: The Media Access Control (MAC) layer
and the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer. The MAC sub layer controls how a computer on
the network gains access to the data and permission to transmit it. The LLC layer controls
frame synchronization, flow control and error checking.
Networking Device  – Bridge, Ethernet Switches and multi layer switches, proxy server,
gateway
Protocol Data Unit  – Frame
Some Protocols – Ethernet, Point to Point Protocol (PPP)
LAYER 3 – NETWORK LAYER
The network layer controls the operation of deciding which physical path the data should
take based on network conditions, priority of service, and other factors. When data arrives
at the Network layer, the source and destination addresses contained inside each
frame are examined to determine if the data has reached its final destination. If the
data has reached the final destination, then network layer formats the data into packets
delivered up to the Transport layer. Otherwise, the Network layer updates the destination
address and pushes the frame back down to the lower layers.
Networking Device – Router, multi layer switches, gateway, proxy server
Protocol Data Unit  – Packets
Some Protocols – Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), IPv4/IPv6, Internet Protocol,
Routing Information Protocol (RIP), IPX.
LAYER 4 – TRANSPORT LAYER
The Transport Layer provides transparent transfer of data between end systems, or hosts,
and is responsible for end-to-end error recovery and flow control. It relieves the higher
layer protocols from any concern with the transfer of data between them and their
peers. The transport layer controls the reliability of communications through flow control,
segmentation, and error control. Two great examples of transport protocols are TCP (as in
TCP/IP) and UDP.
Networking Device  –  proxy server, gateway
Protocol Data Unit  – Segments for TCP, Datagram for UDP
Some Protocols  – SPX, TCP
TCP, paired with IP, is by far the most popular protocol at the transport level. If the IPX
protocol is used at the network layer, then it is paired with SPX at the transport layer.
LAYER 5 – SESSION LAYER
The session layer sets up, coordinates and terminates conversations. Services include
authentication and re-connection after an interruption. It allows session establishment
between processes running on different stations.
Networking Device –  gateway, Logical Ports
Protocol Data Unit – Data/Session
Some Protocols  – AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol,  Remote Procedure Call Protocol
(RPC)
LAYER 6 – PRESENTATION LAYER
As the sixth layer of the OSI model, the presentation layer is primarily responsible for
managing two networking characteristics: protocol and architecture. Whereas,
protocol defines a standard set of guidelines under which the network operates, the
network’s architecture determines what protocol applies. Encryption is typically done at
this level too.
 
Networking Device  –  gateway
Protocol Data Unit  –  Data/ Encoded User Data
Some Protocols  – Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI), Moving picture experts
group (MPEG)
 
LAYER 7 – APPLICATION LAYER
The application layer serves as the window for users and application processes to access
network services. Everything at this layer is application-specific. This layer provides
application services for file transfers, e-mail, and other network software
services. Telnet and FTP are applications that exist entirely in the application level.
Networking Device –  gateway
Protocol Data Unit  – Data
Some Protocols – DNS, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, Telnet, HTTP

Takeaways from Study Notes

 Layer 7: Application layer – provides access to available network resources

 Layer 6: Presentation layer – translates, encrypts, and compresses data
 Layer 5: Session layer – establishes, manages, and terminates communicative
sessions
 Layer 4: Transport layer – provides reliable process-to-process message delivery
and error recovery
 Layer 3: Network layer – moves packets from source to destination providing inter
networking capabilities
 Layer 2: Data link layer – organizes bits into frames providing node-to-node
delivery
 Layer 1: Physical layer – transmits bits over a medium establishing mechanical and
electrical specifications

What is the OSI Model5 min read

by Phil Zito | May 3, 2013 | Information Technology | 7 Comments
Welcome to Building Automation
Monthly!
You most likely found my blog through Google Images looking for the OSI Model, after
you are done reading through this article be sure to check out some of the other IT articles I
have included just for you at the bottom of this article! Thanks for stopping by!

What is the OSI Model

The OSI Model is the foundational model on which all things IT are built. I use the
concepts of the OSI model every day. In this article I will teach you the fundamentals
behind the OSI Model.

If you understand this one model you will be able to rule the world….

Well, maybe not the world but at least your cubicle and maybe the guy next to you’s
cubicle as well…

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model Overview

Here is what I will discuss during this article:

1. Key Terms
2. What is the OSI Model?
3. How does the OSI model work?
4. Why the OSI model matters to Internet of Things and Building Automation Systems

Key Terms

 Layers- Layers are essentially the segmentation of functionality in the OSI model.
 Media Layers- These layers typically compose the physical and network functions
of communication in the OSI Model
 Host Layers- These layers typically compose the software and application side of
the OSI Model
 ISO- International Organization for Standardization

What is the OSI Model

 A detailed description of the OSI model

The OSI model is a framework for network communications. The OSI model is the
fundamental model  for developing proper network communications.

Consisting of 7 layers, the OSI model frames communication from the Physical Media all
the way to the Application (envision a web browser). Message traffic moves up and down
the OSI model, depending on the purpose of the message

In my article on the TCP/IP stack I discuss the similarity and alignment between many
aspects of the TCP/IP stack and the OSI Model. (This is depicted visually below).

Notice the alignment between the TCP/IP and OSI Models

How does the OSI model work

The OSI Model works by establishing a set of rules and standards for communication in
and between the different layers. These rules ensure that different products can
communicate between each other because they are developed around the same guidelines.
This site is focused on IoT and building automation. As building automation systems move
further into the information technology sector, we are seeing the OSI model’s upper layers
become even more vital.

The picture below is a high level view of how messages are transferred between the
different layers of the OSI model. For a more detailed understanding of how the OSI model
works refer to this step by step analysis here. 

Why the OSI model matters to Internet of Things and Building Automation Systems

In my new position, I travel extensively around the United States and the general consensus
among my customers is that the “IT Folks” are now becoming a vital part of the facilities
team.

Although some resistance still exists due mainly to habits and lack of knowledge, I am
noticing in my presentations that about 70% of the time a CIO or equivalent is present in
the meeting. To this end, if you take one thing from this article, it is “Vital to Understand
and Speak IT if You Want to Maintain Job Security in the Next Decade”

How does the OSI model align with current the Internet of Things architectures

For those of you in the Internet of Things and Building Automation space the next section
will help you parallel the OSI model to IoT and BAS architectures. If you are not in the IoT
and/or BAS space feel free to skip to the next section.

In order to help you understand the OSI Model, I am going to briefly describe how each
layer functions in a Building Automation System framework:

1. Physical Layer- This is the media you use to communicate (RS-485/Ethernet ect).
2. Data Link Layer– This is the subnet communication, or for example, the
communication of MS/TP on a field bus.
3. Network Layer- This is typically were your supervisory devices lie and is where IP
messages exist and route outside of the local subnet.
 4. Transport Layer- This is where the data verification exist for communication.
Typically, when you are transferring code or you are logging into a system, the
verification of the transport is made at the Transport layer.
5. Session Layer- This is where the conversation is initiated. Often times, two
supervisory devices will create a session to discuss. As you learn more about TCP
and UDP, you will learn that UDP is a connection-less protocol.Essentially it just
sends out data. Our control systems usually do not  require verification of
commands.  As such, our systems rely on UDP sessions.
6. Presentation Layer- This is where the data is taken and formulated into view-
able information. Often times, this is when the raw  CoAP or BACnet/IP data shifts
into a view-able data format, whether that be ASCII or UNICODE.Additionally, the
presentation layer can translate data into XML which is utilized by the majority of
the web based building automation systems.
7. Application Layer– Here programs run to visually present and physically interact
with the data from the previous layers. Typically building automation systems will
use applications built around the HTTP or SNMP protocols.Additionally,
applications can create FTP connections between one another to transfer data this is
often seen in high level peer to peer supervisory communication.

Conclusion
Thanks for taking your time to read this article. I hope you left this article better
understanding the OSI model