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The OSI Layers

Surasak Sanguanpong
nguan@ku.ac.th
http://www.cpe.ku.ac.th/~nguan
Last updated: 27 June 2002

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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OSI Reference Model

Layer 7 z The Open Systems
Application
Interconnection (OSI)
Layer 6 model was developed by
Presentation the ISO as
Layer 5 z a model for computer
Session
communications
Layer 4 architecture
Transport
z a framework for developing
Layer 3 protocols standards
Network
z OSI model consists of
Layer 2
Data Link seven layers
Layer 1
Physical

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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Layering
Application Programs

Layer 7
Application
User-oriented Layer 6
functions Presentation
Layer 5
Session
Layer 4
Transport

Communications Layer 3
Network Packet
functions
Layer 2
Data Link Frame
Layer 1
Physical Bit

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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Why Seven Layers?

Applications Applications Applications

Physical Transport Presentation

Need at least Physical Network Session

and Application layers
Datalink Transport
Physical
Network
Applications
Both end-to-end and Datalink
Datalink hop-by-hop actions are
required Physical
Physical Transport layer handles Separate some
end-to-end functions such application functions to
Datalink concerns all the as flow control Presentation and
link independent details for Network layer handles Session Layers
different link technology routing in hop-by hop
fashion

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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Service Access Point (SAP)

z Each layer has its own

Service #M
Service #1

Service #2

Service #3
functionality
Layer N
z When a layer needs
Layer functionality of another
Boundary
layer, it must issue a
Layer N-1 request.
z At each layer boundary,
there is at least one point
of services called SAP
= Service Access Point

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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Virtual Communications

Application protocol
Applications Applications
Presentation protocol
Presentation Presentation
Session protocol
Session Session
Transport protocol
Transport Transport
Network Access Protocol
Network Network
Datalink protocol
Datalink Datalink
Physical protocol
Physical Physical

Physical Media

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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Protocol Data Unit

Data protocol data unit (PDU) = combination of data from

the next higher and control information

Applications Application PDU AH Data Encapsulation

Presentation Presentation PDU PH AH Data

Session Session PDU SH PH AH Data

Transport Transport PDU TH SH PH AH Data

Network Network PDU NH TH SH PH AH Data

Datalink Datalink PDU DH NH TH SH PH AH Data DT

Physical DH NH TH SH PH AH Data DT

Additional of control information to

data is referred to encapsulation

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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Decapsulation

Data

Decapsulation AH Data Applications

PH AH Data Presentation
SH PH AH Data Session
In each layer,
corresponding TH SH PH AH Data Transport
header/trailer
NH TH SH PH AH Data Network
has been removed
DH NH TH SH PH AH Data DT Datalink
DH NH TH SH PH AH Data DT Physical

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University

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OSI and TCP/IP

OSI TCP/IP
Application
Application
Presentation
Session
Transport Transport

Network Internet
Data Link Network Access
Physical Physical

Applied Network Research Group Department of Computer Engineering, Kasetsart University