Lecture

Computer Networks

OSI Model

Prof. Dr. H.P. Gromann

Department of Information Resource Management
University of Ulm, Germany

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Open Systems Interconnect Model

International Standards Organization (ISO) developed a model in 1983

This model is to define an architecture that describes
the communication between heterogeneous computers
Communication is respectively the exchange of data
between computers
Various elements are involved :
electrical characteristics
coding cable types
network adapters
data segmentation / packetizing
error control
software compatibility ...

Strategic solution
Handling of the different aspects in seven distinct layers :
Seven layer OSI model

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Seven Layer OSI Model

The main characteristics of the seven layer OSI model are :

Each layer performs a defined subset of functions for the overall

communication process
The functions rely on those of the previous lower layer :
To perform more primitive functions
To hide the details of the lower layer functions
Each layer provides services to the next higher layer
Modifications within a layer do not require modifications of the other
layers
Dividing the communication functions into separate layers facilitates
the management of the communication process

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Main OSI Layer Terms

The main terms used in OSI Layer can be summarized as follows :

Service : Each layer servs additional services for the higher layer.
Type of service is dependent on the definition of the layer model.

Interface : Services are usable via an interface through layers.

Usage of services is also specified between layers.

Protocol : It defines the internal operation procedure of a layer.

The protocol is private to the layer. It can be changed or replaced
without affecting other layers.

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Peer to Peer communication

How do two networked systems communicate?

Through their network protocol stacks
Each layer communicates with its peer
e.g. as bit streams are received by a receiving node's physical layer,
they are passed up to the data link layer where they are again formed into frames
and then to the network layer where they again become packets as shown below.

Station A Station B
message
7 Application Application 7
message
6 Presentation Presentation 6
message
5 Session Session 5
message
4 Transport Transport 4
packets
3 Network Network 3
frames
2 Datalink Datalink 2
bits
1 Physical Physical 1
Physical Medium

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

OSI Reference model for Open Systems
The 1. Layer Data is transmitted by bits. The 2. Layer transmits data by frames
and the 3. Layer Data is transmitted by packets.
The network layer creates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) by the packets it forms
and passes those PDUs to 4. Layer.
As the received transmission travels up the stack, each layer receives a PDU from the layer below.
The information (placed in the PDU by the peer layer) becomes available.
In this way, each layer in a transmitting node communicates with its peer layer of the receiving node.

Station A Router Station B

7 Application Application 7
6 Presentation Presentation 6
5 Session Session 5
4 Transport Transport 4
3 Network Network Network 3
2 Datalink Datalink Datalink 2
1 Physical Physical Physical 1
Physical Medium Physical Medium
LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002
Layers 1 and 2

1. Physical Layer
Mechanical Establishment,
Electrical maintenance and
deactivation of the
and procedural physical link
characteristics

2. Link Layer
Transparent / Error - Reliable transfer
Free Transmission of data across the
Facility Sequential physical link
Transmissions
Flow Control
Access protocols

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Layers 3 and 4

3. Network Layer
Unreliable datagramm service
Static & Dynamic Upper Layers are
Routing Control independent from
Transport Accounting the data transmission
Packet Segmentation
and switching of
technologies
Heterogeneous
Network Control

4.Transport Layer
Segment Messages Reliable, transparent
Establish & Manage transfer of data
Connections between source and
End-To-End Control
destination
Multiple Connection
Control
LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002
Layers 5 and 6

5. Session Layer
Session Establishment
Session Control
Control structure
Dialog Control
for communication
Token Management between
Synchronization applications
Checkpoint Insertion

6. Presentation Layer
Encryption & Decryption Standardized
Reformatting application interface
Syntax & Semantics
Information Common
Representation communications
Data Compression services
& Decompression
LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002
Layer 7

7. Application Layer

Network applications facilitate Services to the

network connectivity users of the OSI
Virtual Terminal environment
File Transfer
E-Mail
Service announcement
Service availability
Mapping of virtual world
into real world

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Layer concept

User of corresponding
User of N-Service N-Service

(N+1)-Layer
Layer Interface

Layer Protocol between Layer

N-Layer
instance Partner Instances instance
Layer Interface

(N-1)-Layer (N-1)-Layer

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002

Access Methods

LOMI Universitt Ulm, 2002