Principles of Networking

7 Layer OSI Model

Standards
Activity - What is a standard?
A principle commonly agreed to by experts
in the conduct and use of evaluation for
the measure of the value or quality of an
evaluation.
ec.wmich.edu/glossary/prog-glossary.htf

Protocol
Activity - What is a Protocol?
A protocol is a set of rules that governs the
communications between computers on a
network. In order for two computers to talk
to each other, they must be speaking the
same language.

Standards & Protocols

Many different types of network protocols and standards are
required to ensure that your computer (no matter which
operating system, network card, or application you are
using) can communicate with another computer located
on the next desk or half-way around the world.
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Reference
Model defines seven layers of networking protocols.

Standards
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers) regulate the
standards agreed for different
communications systems to operate.
By acting as the regulator, they ensure that
everyone creates a system that will
communicate with other systems.

THE OSI 7 LAYER MODEL

Open Systems Interconnection

A standard description or reference model

for how messages should be transmitted
between any two points in a
telecommunication network

Any two computers can communicate when

connected regardless of underlying
architecture

OSI Model Layers

The OSI model is represented by seven
layers.
The seventh layer being the top which is
nearest the user.
One being the bottom for the
communication medium (the data leaving
the computer).

The OSI 7 Layer Model

7 - Application layer
User services,
application,
activities

6 - Presentation layer
5 - Session layer
4 - Transport layer

Actual data
transmission
communications
subnet

3 - Network layer
2 - Data Link layer
1 - Physical layer

Layer

OSI Role

Related to a Network

Application

Email and web browsers many protocols associated to it.

Presentation Organisation of data into a format that can be used by

humans
ASCII - Plain text for web pages
Doc Word documents

Session

This allows you to have multiple browsers and resources

open simultaneously without data conflicts in transmission.

Transport

Firewalls, layer 4 switches operate at this level;

Network

Logical address for a server or workstation is managed

here common protocol is TCP/IP.
Routing takes place at this level

Data Link

Physical address (Media access control (MAC)) Used to

identify the device.
Frame relay

Physical

Cables/wireless encoding of bits of data 0001111010101,

Hubs

THE OSI SEVEN LAYER MODEL

UPPER

4 LEVELS

message passing from computer to

computer
LOWER

3 LEVELS

message passing through host

computer to another
PURPOSE

to separate specific functions

OSI Model and TCP/IP Model

A good way of helping students to memorise the layers in the OSI model is by using a simple rhyme or mnemonic. Suggested mnemonics
for remembering the layers are:
All Printers Seem To Need Daily Prodding
Anchovy Pizza Seems To Need Double Pepperoni.
Pepperoni.

APPLICATION LAYER 7
Interacts with applications for communication
purposes
Determines identity & availability of
communications partners
Determines sufficient resources available
Controls the communication co-operation between applications
Closest to user both User and Layer 7
software interact with applications
E.g. Web Browser

PRESENTATION LAYER 6
Presents data to the user in understandable format
Provides conversion functions for application layer data

Data representation graphic formats

Character representation text / ASCII

Data compression

Data encryption

SESSION LAYER 5
Manages connections between machines
Determines whether all data transmitted / received

It provides for full-duplex, half-duplex, or simplex

operation

Establishes logical connection for communication

Checks data received retransmits if necessary

Reconnects on premature termination

Releases logical connection on completion

TRANSPORT LAYER 4
Decides upon network to use depending on data type
Provides reliable data transfer services to the upper
layers

Flow control enough space to send/receive

messages
Multiplexing combines messages to same
connection
Packeting breaks larger into smaller pieces
Error checking and recovery

NETWORK LAYER 3
Routing and addressing functions correct
destinations
Receives incoming packets of data

Routing decides what route to use

Forwarding sends on packets to other hosts

Controls communication subnet layers 1-3

DATA LINK LAYER 2

Organisation of data bits into frame structure

The beginning and end of the data frame

The address of the sender

The address of the receiver

Error checking of the data frame

PHYSICAL LAYER 1
Transmits / receives data bits as electrical
pulses
Controls physical link between communicating
systems

Describes network topology

Transmission media cabling / broadcasting
Transmission devices NICs / modems
Electrical or optical (fibre optic) signalling

THE INTERNET APPLICATION LEVEL

The application layer is made up of other
protocols
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

HTML / HTTP
POP / SMTP
FTP
TELNET remote sessions
DNS Domain name server IP addresses

Corresponds to layers 5-7 of OSI model

TCP / IP
Basic communication protocol of the Internet

TRANSMISSION CONTROL PROTOCOL

Manages assembly of messages / files into smaller
packets. Reassembles packets when received
(OSI layer 4)

INTERNET PROTOCOL
Handles the address part of the packet
Ensures reaches correct destination (OSI layer 3)