Computer Network | Layers of OSI Model
OSI stands for Open Systems Interconnection.. It has been developed by ISO –
‘International Organization of Standardization‘, ‘, in the year 1974. It is a 7 layer
architecture with each layer having specific functionality to perform. All these 7 layers
work collaboratively to transmit the data from one person to another across the globe.
1. Physical Layer (Layer 1) :
The lowest layer of the OSI reference m odel is the physical layer. It is responsible for
model
the actual physical connection between the devices. The physical layer contains
information in the form of bits. It is responsible for the actual physical connection
between the devices. When receiving data, this layer will get the signal received and
convert it into 0s and 1s and ssend them to the Data Link layer.
* Hub, Repeater, Modem, Cables are Physical Layer devices.
2. Data Link Layer (DLL) (Layer 2) :
When obtaining data from the Physical layer, the Data Link layer checks for physical
transmission errors and packages bits into data "frames". The Data Link layer also
manages physical addressing schemes such as MAC addresses for Ethernet networks,
controlling access of any various network devices to the physical medium. Because the
Data Link layer is the single most complex layer in the OSI model, it is often divided into
two parts, the "Media Access Control" sublayer and the "Logical Link Control" sublayer.
* Packet in Data Link layer is referred as Frame.
** Data Link layer is handled by the NIC (Network Interface Card) and device drivers of
host machines.
*** Switch & Bridge are Data Link Layer devices.
3. Network Layer (Layer 3) :
The Network layer adds the concept of routing above the Data Link layer. When data arrives at
the Network layer, the source and destination addresses contained inside each frame are
examined to determine if the data has reached its final destination. If the data has reached the
final destination, this Layer 3 formats the data into packets delivered up to the Transport layer.
Otherwise, the Network layer updates the destination address and pushes the frame back down
to the lower layers.
To support routing, the Network layer maintains logical addresses such as IP addresses for
devices on the network. The Network layer also manages the mapping between these logical
addresses and physical addresses. In IP networking, this mapping is accomplished through
the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).
* Segment in Network layer is referred as Packet.
4. Transport Layer (Layer 4) :
Transport layer provides services to application layer and takes services from network
layer. The data in the transport layer is referred to as Segments. It is responsible for the
End to End delivery of the complete message. Transport layer also provides the
acknowledgment of the successful data transmission and re-transmits the data if an
error is found.
* Data in the Transport Layer is called as Segments.
** Transport layer is operated by the Operating System. It is a part of the OS and
communicates with the Application Layer by making system calls.
Transport Layer is called as Heart of OSI model.
5. Session Layer (Layer 5) :
The Session Layer manages the sequence and flow of events that initiate and tear
down network connections. At Layer 5, it is built to support multiple types of
connections that can be created dynamically and run over individual networks.
6. Presentation Layer (Layer 6) :
The Presentation layer is the simplest in function of any piece of the OSI model. At
Layer 6, it handles syntax processing of message data such as format conversions and
encryption / decryption needed to support the Application layer above it.
7. Application Layer (Layer 7) :
At the very top of the OSI Reference Model stack of layers, we find Application layer
which is implemented by the network applications. These applications produce the data,
which has to be transferred over the network. This layer also serves as a window for the
application services to access the network and for displaying the received information to
the user.
Ex: Application – Browsers, Skype Messenger etc.
**Application Layer is also called as Desktop Layer.
OSI Layers and its Protocol :