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7 Layers of OSI
*All items denoted with a number beside them are defined in the terms section at the bottom of the page.
THE 7 LAYERS OF OSI
Transmit
Sender

Receiver
Receive

Application
LAYER 7
Application
Presentation
LAYER 6
Presentation
Session
LAYER 5
Session
Transport
LAYER 4
Transport
Network LAYER 3 Network
Data link LAYER 2 Data link
Physical
LAYER 1
Physical

The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) decided to construct a framework of standards in which
different vendors would be able to use in order to communicate over a network consisting of diverse equipment and
applications. This framework is now considered the standard for communication of networks. The OSI is divided
into 7 layers, which divides the task into smaller more manageable task groups. Each task or group of tasks
assigned to each layer can also be implemented independently. This limits complications between layers because
the solutions offered by one layer do not adversely affect the other layers.
The 7 layers can be split logically into two subgroups. Layers 7 thru 4 focus on the end to end communication of
data source and destinations. Layers 3 thru 1 are provide consistent communication between the network
devices. An easier way of looking at the OSI model is dividing the upper layers (7, 6, 5) from the lower layers (4, 3,
2, 1). The upper layers deal with application issues and are implemented only in software. The highest layer, the
application layer, is the closest to the end user. The lower layers are responsible for the transportation of the data.
The physical layer and the data link layer are implemented in hardware and software. The lowest layer, the physical
layer, is closest to the physical network medium (the wires, for example) and is responsible for placing data on the
medium.
The following is a top-down explanation of the OSI Model. It starts with the user's PC and it follows what happens to
the user's file as it passes though the different OSI Model layers. The top-down approach was selected specifically
(vs. starting at the Physical Layer and working up to the Application Layer) for ease of understanding. It is used
here to show how the user's files are transformed (through the layers) into a bit stream for transmission on the
network.
LAYER 7 - APPLICATION
The application level provides services that directly support the user applications, such as user interface, e-mail, file
transfer, database access, etc. There are many protocols at this layer that are commonly needed such as HTTP,
WWW, FTP, TELNET, SMTP. It gives applications access to the network through the layers below. Another
important function is file transfer between computers. Some computers store file names or represent text lines
differently. The application layer takes care of the incompatibilities and allows a smooth transfer between systems.
Protocols: FTP
1
, HTTP
2
, SMTP
3
, DNS
4
, TFTP
5
, NFS
6
, TELNET
7
.
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LAYER 6 - PRESENTATION
The presentation level is translator between the application and network format. Unlike the lower layers, its concern
is with the syntax and semantics of the information transmitted. Most user programs do not exchange random
binary bit strings. They exchange data such as names, addresses, dates, etc. Different computers store the data in
a different way. In order to allow these computers to transmit the data to each other the presentation layer translates
the data into a standard form to be used on the network. Another function is data compression which can be used
to reduce the number of bits needed to send the packet of information. Security is also added at this layer by using
data encryption and decryption. This prevents others from intercepting the data and being able to decipher the
meaning of the bits.
Protocols: ASCII
8
, EBCDIC
9
, MIDI
10
, MPEG
11
, JPEG
12
.
LAYER 5 - SESSION
This layer allows applications on connecting systems to communicate using a session. It opens, uses, and closes
this communication link. It also acts as a dialog control mechanism controlling who is able to transmit. Sessions can
allow data to be sent in both directions at the same time or only one direction. The session layer determines who
has the ability to transfer at the current time. Another valuable ability is to insert checkpoints during data transfers.
During a large file transmission if the system crashes the checkpoints allow the system to start downloading at the
last known checkpoint. An example of this is during either a interactive login or file transfer connection, the session
would recognize names in the session and register them into a history. It could then connect and reconnect in case
of a system crash at either of the systems.
Protocols: SQL
13
, RPC
14
.
LAYER 4 - TRANSPORT
The basic function of the transport layer is to accept data from the session layer, break up the data into smaller
units if need be, and send these manageable data packets to the network layer. At the destination this layer is
responsible for combining the packets into their original state. This layer also checks to see if the layers are in the
right order when received and not in duplicated form. If there is an error in one of the packets there is a request for
that packet's retransmission. There are two protocols that sit at this layer. First, the TCP protocol connects the
sender and the receiver using a socket which is determined by the IP address and port number. TCP keeps track
of the packet delivery order and which ones need to be resent. UDP on the other hand is a connectionless
communication and does not guarantee packet delivery between sender and receiver. Because it is
connectionless the sender sends the data into the network with an IP address of the receiver and hopes it makes it
to its destination. Since there is not a way of asking the sender to retransmit because of an error there is little error
protection if any.
Protocols: TCP
15
or UDP
16
.
LAYER 3 - NETWORK
The network layer basically handles all of the addressing issues. This layer addresses packets, determines the
best path or route, and manages network problems such as data congestion. There are three ways in which the
packets are routed to their destinations. First, there could be a static route through the entire network that will never
be changed. Second, there could be a static line only used during a particular session between the sender and
receiver. Finally, the packets could be dynamically sent through the network using changing paths in order to
prevent bottlenecks. The bottlenecks are formed when there are too many packets present in one subnet causing
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them to get in each other's way. The network level is also responsible for converting the network address and
names to the MAC addresses of the machines. One of the most important functions of this layer is the ability to
allow two different networks using conflicting addressing schemes to be able to send data to each other. The
network layer allows the different protocols to "talk" to each other and understand where the packet's destination is.
Routers work at this level by sending the packets along the network.
Protocols: IP
17
, ICMP
18
, ARP
19
, PING
20
, Traceroute
21
.
LAYER 2 - DATA LINK
The data link layer defines the format of data on the network. All of the data sent through the network are made into
a frame which is performed at this level. The frame is a uniform way of sending the data along with address
information and error checking capabilities. CRC is used for the error detection at this level. If at the receiving end
the CRC fails at this level there is a request back to the sender for retransmission of this packet.
Protocols: IEEE 802.2
22
, 802.3
23
, 802.5
24
.
LAYER 1 - PHYSICAL
The physical layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining and ending physical connections (point to point)
between computers. This layer is concerned with the actual interpretation of the bit stream into an electrical signal
that can be carried across a physical medium. The protocols at this layer deal with the binary transmission, voltage
levels, and data rates. This layer would also specify physical medium properties such as cables and network cards.
Protocols: IEEE 802.3
23
, 802.5
24
.
TERMS
1. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - Used to transfer files over the internet using TCP/IP.
2. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - Underlining protocol used by the World Wide Web. Allows Web servers
and browsers to communicate with each other.
3. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - Protocol used to send email messages between servers.
4. DNS (Domain Name Service) - An internet service that translates domain names, such as www.yahoo.com, into
IP addresses.
5. TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) - Simplified version of the FTP protocol which has no security features.
6. NFS (Network File System) - Client/Server application designed by SUN MICROSYSTEMS to allow all network
users to access files stored on different computer types.
7. Telnet - terminal emulation program that allows you to connect to a server and enter information and commands
similar to if you were actually on the server terminal.
8. ASCII - a code for representing English characters as numbers.
9. EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code) - IBM code for representing characters as
numbers.
10. MIDI (Musical Instrument Device Interface) - adopted by the electronic music industry for controlling devices,
such as synthesizers and sound cards, that emit music.
11. MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) - the family of digital video compression standards and file formats
developed by the ISO group.
12. JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - a lossy compression format for color images that reduces file size
by 5% while losing some image detail.
13. SQL (Structured Query Language) - a standardized query language for requesting information from a
database.
14. RPC (Remote Procedure Call) - allows a program on one computer execute a program on a server.
15. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) - enables two to establish a connection and exchange streams of data.
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16. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - offering a direct way to send and receive datagrams over an IP network with
very few error recovery services.
17. IP (Internet Protocol) - specifies the format of packets and the addressing schemes.
18. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) - an extension of IP which supports packets containing error, control,
and informational messages.
19. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) - used to convert an IP address to a physical address.
20. PING - a utility to check if an IP address is accessible.
21. Traceroute - utility that tracks a packet from your computer to an internet host showing how many hops and
how long it took.
22. IEEE 802.2 - divides the data link layer into two sublayers -- the logical link control (LLC) layer and the media
access control (MAC) layer.
23. 802.3 - Defines the MAC layer for bus networks that use CSMA/CD. This is the basis of the Ethernet standard.
24. 802.5 - Defines the MAC layer for token-ring networks.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Computer Networking Basics, Carlo Fonda and Fulvio Postogna, January 30th 1998, The Abdus Salam
International Centre for Theoretical Physics,
http://www.ictp.trieste.it/~radionet/1998_school/networking_presentation/page6.html
Cisco Networking Academy Program CCNA 1 and 2 Lab Companion, Revised Third Edition.
Cisco Press, 2005. ISBN: 1587131498
OSI Model Layers, Grant Wilson, August 6, 2001
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/3131/ne/osimodel.html
The 7 Layers of the OSI MODEL, JupiterMedia Corporation, Internet.com
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/OSI_Layers.asp
Webopedia.com, JupiterMedia Corporation, Internet.com
http://www.webopedia.com