Introduction To the OSI Model The OSI Open Systems Interconnect model is a standard that was introduced by the

e ISO International Organization for Standards which is part of the United Nations. The standard was published in 1983 and specifies a layered approach to network communication. The purpose of the OSI reference model is to make networks more manageable and to aid the problem of moving data between computers. The main objectives of the ISO OSI reference model were a. allow manufactures of different systems to interconnect their equipment through standard interfaces. b. Allow software and hardware to integration well and be portable on differing systems. c. Create a model which all the countries of the world use. The model divides the problem of moving data between computers into seven smaller, more manageable tasks, which equate to the seven layers of the OSI reference model. The seven layers are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Physical Layer The Data Link Layer The Network Layer The Transport Layer The Session Layer The Presentation Layer The Application Layer

The Application Layer is the top layer and is also referred to as layer 7. Data passes from the top layer of the sender through the other layers to the Physical Layer layer 1, then across the network media e.g. network cabling, and up from the Physical Layer of the receiver to the Application Layer. There is virtual data flow between corresponding layers on the sender and the receiver. It must be noted that the OSI model is an abstract model that provides a framework that defines the functions of each layer. In effect the OSI standard defines the interfaces between the layers. The packages of data passed between layers are called PDUs (Protocol Data Units). These PDUs have specific names when referring the four lower layers: Layer Transport Network Data Link Physical PDU Name Segments Packets Frames Bits

As the data is passed from layer to layer, each layer adds its own information. This is called encapsulation. The layers of the OSI model can be grouped into two layers the Media layers, consisting of the physical layer and the datalink layer, and the Host layers, consisting of the application, presentation, session and transport layers. The Media layers so called because it controls delivery of data over the network, and the Host layers so called because they provide for accurate delivery of data between computers, or hosts, on the network.