THE OSI REFERENCE
MODEL
Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI)
International Organization for
Standardization( ISO)
OVERVIEW
• THE NEED FOR STANDARDS
• OSI - ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION
• THE OSI REFERENCE MODEL
• A LAYERED NETWORK MODEL
• THE SEVEN OSI REFERENCE MODEL LAYERS
• SUMMARY
• TCP/IP AND OSI SIMILARITIES
• TCP/IP AND OSI DIFFERENCES
THE NEED FOR STANDARDS
• Over the past couple of decades many of the networks that were
built used different hardware and software implementations, as a
result they were incompatible and it became difficult for networks
using different specifications to communicate with each other.
• To address the problem of networks being incompatible and
unable to communicate with each other, the International
Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) researched various network
schemes.
• The ISO recognised there was a need to create a NETWORK
MODEL that would help vendors create interoperable network
implementations.
ISO - ORGANISATION FOR
STANDARDISATION
• The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is
an International standards organisation responsible for a
wide range of standards, including many that are relevant to
networking.
• In 1984 in order to aid network interconnection without
necessarily requiring complete redesign, the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) reference model was approved as an
international standard for communications architecture.
THE OSI REFERENCE
MODEL
• The model was developed by the International Organisation for
Standardisation (ISO) in 1984. It is now considered the primary
Architectural model for inter-computer communications.
• The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model is a descriptive
network scheme. It ensures greater compatibility and interoperability
between various types of network technologies.
• The OSI model describes how information or data makes its way from
application programmes (such as spreadsheets) through a network
medium (such as wire) to another application programme located on
another network.
• The OSI reference model divides the problem of moving information
between computers over a network medium into SEVEN smaller and
more manageable problems .
• This separation into smaller more manageable functions is known as
layering.
A LAYERED NETWORK
MODEL
• The OSI Reference Model is composed of seven layers, each specifying
particular network functions.
• The process of breaking up the functions or tasks of networking into layers
reduces complexity.
• Each layer provides a service to the layer above it in the protocol specification.
• Each layer communicates with the same layer’s software or hardware on other
computers.
• The lower 4 layers (transport, network, data link and physical —Layers 4, 3, 2,
and 1) are concerned with the flow of data from end to end through the network.
• The upper four layers of the OSI model (application, presentation and session—
Layers 7, 6 and 5) are orientated more toward services to the applications.
• Data is Encapsulated with the necessary protocol information as it moves down
the layers before network transit.
THE SEVEN OSI
REFERENCE MODEL
LAYERS
LAYER 7: APPLICATION
• The application layer is the OSI layer that is closest to the user.
• It provides network services to the user’s applications.
• It differs from the other layers in that it does not provide services to any
other OSI layer, but rather, only to applications outside the OSI model.
• Examples of such applications are spreadsheet programs, word
processing programs, and bank terminal programs.
• The application layer establishes the availability of intended
communication partners, synchronizes and establishes agreement on
procedures for error recovery and control of data integrity.
LAYER 6: PRESENTATION
• The presentation layer ensures that the information that the application
layer of one system sends out is readable by the application layer of
another system.
• If necessary, the presentation layer translates between multiple data
formats by using a common format.
• Provides encryption and compression of data.
• Examples :- JPEG, MPEG, ASCII, EBCDIC, HTML.
LAYER 5: SESSION
• The session layer defines how to start, control and end conversations (called
sessions) between applications.
• This includes the control and management of multiple bi-directional messages
using dialogue control.
• It also synchronizes dialogue between two hosts' presentation layers and
manages their data exchange.
• The session layer offers provisions for efficient data transfer.
• Examples :- SQL, ASP(AppleTalk Session Protocol).
LAYER 4: TRANSPORT
• The transport layer regulates information flow to ensure end-to-end
connectivity between host applications reliably and accurately.
• The transport layer segments data from the sending host's system and
reassembles the data into a data stream on the receiving host's system.
• The boundary between the transport layer and the session layer can be
thought of as the boundary between application protocols and data-flow
protocols. Whereas the application, presentation, and session layers are
concerned with application issues, the lower four layers are concerned
with data transport issues.
• Layer 4 protocols include TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP
(User Datagram Protocol).
LAYER 3: NETWORK
• Defines end-to-end delivery of packets.
• Defines logical addressing so that any endpoint can be identified.
• Defines how routing works and how routes are learned so that the
packets can be delivered.
• The network layer also defines how to fragment a packet into smaller
packets to accommodate different media.
• Routers operate at Layer 3.
• Examples :- IP, IPX, AppleTalk.
LAYER 2: DATA LINK
• The data link layer provides access to the networking media and physical
transmission across the media and this enables the data to locate its
intended destination on a network.
• The data link layer provides reliable transit of data across a physical link
by using the Media Access Control (MAC) addresses.
• The data link layer uses the MAC address to define a hardware or data
link address in order for multiple stations to share the same medium and
still uniquely identify each other.
• Concerned with network topology, network access, error notification,
ordered delivery of frames, and flow control.
• Examples :- Ethernet, Frame Relay, FDDI.
LAYER 1: PHYSICAL
• The physical layer deals with the physical characteristics of the
transmission medium.
• It defines the electrical, mechanical, procedural, and functional
specifications for activating, maintaining, and deactivating the physical
link between end systems.
• Such characteristics as voltage levels, timing of voltage changes, physical
data rates, maximum transmission distances, physical connectors, and
other similar attributes are defined by physical layer specifications.
• Examples :- EIA/TIA-232, RJ45, NRZ.
SUMMARY
• There was no standard for networks in the early days and as a result it was difficult
for networks to communicate with each other.
• The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) recognised this. and
researched various network schemes, and in 1984 introduced the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) reference model.
• The OSI reference model has standards which ensure vendors greater compatibility
and interoperability between various types of network technologies.
• The OSI reference model organizes network functions into seven numbered layers.
• Each layer provides a service to the layer above it in the protocol specification and
communicates with the same layer’s software or hardware on other computers.
• Layers 1-4 are concerned with the flow of data from end to end through the
network and Layers 5-7 are concerned with services to the applications.
TCP/IP and OSI Similarities
• Both have Layers
• Both have Application Layers
• Have Comparable Transport and Network Layers
• Packet Switching (not-circuit switched)
technology is used
• You need to understand both of them.
TCP/IP and OSI Differences
• TCP/IP combines the Presentation and Application
Layers
• TCP/IP combines the OSI Data Link and Physical
Layers into 1 Layer
• TCP/IP appears simpler with fewer layers.
• TCP/IP Protocols are standards for the Internet
• No Networks are really built around OSI…it serves
as a guide.
Summary
• Network model / TCP/IP model
• OSI model
