Open System Interconnection Model

OSI stands for Open System Interconnection. It was developed by international standard organization (ISO) in 1983. An
open system is a model that allows any two systems to communicate even if there architectures are different. It
provides a logical framework for data communication process.
OSI model consist of seven layers. Each layer performs a specific function in the network
communication. The layers are divided into two groups.
1. Upper Layer: The upper layer focus on the following:
i. User Application
ii. How files are represented on computer before transfer.
2. Lower Layer: The lower layer focus on how the communication across a network actually occurs.

Application Layer: The application layer is the top most layer of OSI model. It unable the user to access the network. It
provides the following:
(1) Direct services to user application.
(2) User Interface.
(3) Support For services such as e-mail, remote file access and transfer.
File Transfer: It allow the user to access, retrieve and manage files in remote computer.
Mail service: It provides the basis for email forwarding and storage.
Directory Services: It provides distributed database resources and access for global information.

Presentation Layer: The presentation layer performs data reformatting, data compression and encryption.
1- Data Reformatting: When two computers exchange data, the data is changed to bit stream before transmitting.
The computers may use different encoding techniques and formats. The presentation layer at sending side
changes the data according to the sender computer format. And at receiving side changes the data according to
the receiver computer format.
2- Encryption/Decryption: The presentation layer encrypts data before transmission. It means at sender side
original data is changed to another form and it is called encryption. At receiver side the changed form of data is
again turned into original data it is called decryption.
3- Compression: Data compression reduces the number of bits to be transmitted. It compresses a large amount of
data into small size.
Session Layer: The session layer creates, manages and terminates the user connection. A session is an exchange of
message between computers. It synchronizes user task:
Synchronization means that the data stream is divided into checkpoints. If a failure accrues. Only data from the
last checkpoint is retransmitted. Suppose we want to send a 1000 pages of data. Checkpoint can be used after each 100
page. If there is an error at page 320, the pages from 301 will be retransmitted. Page from 1 to 300 will not be
retransmitted.
Transport Layer: This layer is responsible for the process to process delivery of message. The transport layer controls the
flow of data. It ensures that the messages are delivered error free. It divides large messages into small packets for
efficient transmission. These packets are reassembled, checked for errors and acknowledge at receiving side. If there are
errors in transmission, data is retransmitted.
Network Layer: The network layer is responsible for creating, maintaining and terminating network connection. It
manages the delivery of data from source to destination.
Network layer determines logical path between sender and the receiver. There may be many networks
between two computers. This layer manages to send data source computer to destination computer.
Data Link Layer: Data link layer is responsible for the reliability of physical link created at layer 1. Data link layer must
follow the following:
1- Framing: The data link layer divides the stream of bits into manageable data units called frames.
2- Flow Control: The rate of sending data can be more than the rate of receiving data. Data link layer manages the
data flow.
3- Error Control: Data link layer detects and retransmits damaged or lost frames. It also prevent the duplication of
frames.
4- Access Control: If two or more devices are connected to a same link, it decides which device has a control over
the link at a given time.
Physical Layer: The physical layer is the bottom layer of OSI model. It transmit stream of bits and defines how the data is
transmitted over the network and what control signals are used. Physical layer must decide the following:
1- Characteristics of media: It defines the characteristics and type of transmission medium.
2- Representation of Bits: The bits are encoded into electrical signals for transmission. The physical layer defines
the type of encoding.
3- Data Rate: Physical layer defines the number of bits that will be sent in each second.
4- Transmission Mode: The physical layer defines the directions of transmission between two devices: simplex,
half duplex, full duplex.