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The OSI reference model is the primary model for network communications. The early

development of LANs, MANs, and WANs was confused in many ways. The early 1980s

saw great increases in the number and sizes of networks. As companies realized that they

could save money and gain productivity by using networking technology, they added

networks and expanded existing networks as rapidly as new network technologies and

products were introduced.

In 1984, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed the OSI

Reference Model to describe how information is transferred from one networking

component to another, from the point when a user enters information using a keyboard and

mouse to when that information is converted to electrical or light signals transferred along a

piece of wire (or radio waves transferred through the air).

ISO developed the seven-layer model to help vendors and network administrators gain a

better understanding of how data is handled and transported between networking devices,

as well as to provide a guideline for the implementation of new networking standards and

technologies. To assist in this process, the OSI Reference Model separates the network

communication process into seven simple layers.

Dividing the network into these seven layers provides these advantages:

 
 

It breaks network communication into smaller, simpler parts. It divides the network

communication process into smaller and simpler components, thus aiding component

development, design, and troubleshooting.

  
 

It standardizes network components to allow multiple vendor development and support.

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It allows different types of network hardware and software to communicate with each other.

  


It allows multiple-vendor development through standardization of network components.

Defines the process for connecting two layers together, promoting interoperability between

vendors It Allows vendors to compartmentalize their design efforts to fit a modular design,

which eases implementations and simplifies troubleshooting



 

It prevents changes in one layer from affecting the other layers, allowing for quicker

development.

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It provides for effective updates and improvements to individual components without

affecting other components or having to rewrite the entire protocol.

 
 

It breaks network communication into smaller components to make learning easier.

Provides a teaching tool to help network administrators understand the communication

process used between networking components

   

÷? The OSI reference model consists of seven layers: physical, data-link, network,

transport, session, d

, and application.

÷? The OSI model layers usually do not correspond exactly to the protocol stack

running on an actual system.

÷? The data-link layer protocols often include physical layer specifications.

 ÷? The network and transport layer protocols work together to provide a cumulative

end-to-end communication 

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÷? The functions of the session, presentation, and application layers are often

combined into a single application layer protocol.