• Purpose of the OSI model and its seven layers

• Function of each layer

• Process for communication between devices

What is the OSI model ?

• Open Systems Interconnection model is fundamental to all communications
between network devices.
• Developed in 1974 by ISO after the American Department of Defence began
using the TCP/IP suite of protocols.
• Finally adopted in 1977. It is now the theoretical model for how communication
takes place between network devices.

Seven Layers
• In the sense of purpose and responsibility, each layer is separate and independent
• Each has its own function, but also provides a service to those layers above and
below itself
• The model should be considered an aid to understanding the nature of
communication on the network – and useful in sorting out troubles that might
occur on a network
• By providing, it allows both software engineers and hardware manufacturers
ensure their products work together.

The Layers at Work

• When communicating, each OSI layer talks with the same layer in the other
device
• E.g. the Application Layer of Device A communicates with the Application Layer
of Device B, by passing the data through the other layers
• The Application Layer of each device is not concerned with how the other layers
are functioning, but it does rely on them to do their job

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 Remembering the Layers
Application All

Presentation People

Session Seem

Transport To

Network Need

Data Link Data

Physical Processing

How does data flow ?

When data is sent from the application on the source computer the following happens

• Data in the form of a packet moves down through the layers

• When it reaches the Physical Layer it is ready to be sent along the cable
• At the Physical Layer the bits may be analogue or digital, in the form of
electrical, light or radio waves
• The data is transmitted to the destination device
• It travels up through the layers of the OSI model, reaching the user.
• As data moves down through the layers it is encapsulated – ie additional
information is added as headers or trailers
• The data in the packet does not change

Application Layer
• ‘Closest’ layer to the user
• Works with the applications you use to communicate over the network
• E.g.. Services include SMTP, HTTP and FTP
• Clicking on a link on a web page issues a command for the browser to retrieve the
relevant information from the Internet

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 • In this example your computer is the source, and the host of the web site
information is the destination
• The application completes your request and delivers the information to your
computer

Application Services
• File Services
• Electronic-mail Services
• Network-printing Services
• Application Services
• Database Services

Presentation Layer
This layer has three fundamental functions

(1) Data Presentation

• Enables receiving device to understand the information sent from the source
• Converts data from native format (abstract syntax) to a common format (transfer
syntax), e.g.

(2) Data Compression

• By reducing the volume of data, transfers can take place in less time
• Packets are examined and such things as spaces in text removed
• The destination device returns the data to its original format before passing to the
Application Layer

(3) Data Encryption

• Allows data to be converted to a form which hides its meaning, apart from those
you wish to see it
• Not all data is encrypted on its journey across the network
• In order for decryption to occur at the destination device a ‘key’ is required

Session Layer

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 • Primarily responsible for handling the session between devices (beginning,
maintaining and finishing)
• Enforces order in the communication between devices
• Regulates the flow of data
• It takes responsibility for the following ….

Session Services
The following services are provided:

• Establishing a Connection
• Maintaining the Session
• Ending the Connection
• Dialogue Control
• Dialogue Separation
• Handshaking – SYN and ACK packets
• ‘Keep alive messages’
• Session must be terminated (otherwise one device will be still transmitting
without any device actually listening)
• Dialogue Control (simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex)
• Dialogue Separation – checkpoints within the transmission which allow the
detection of lost packets, and subsequent re-transmission

Transport Layer
• Ensures reliable transport of packets from source to destination
• Also manages the speed of transmission – flow control
• There are two types of transmission (Connection-Oriented Transmissions and
Connectionless Transmissions) – see next slide

Connection-Oriented Transmissions
• Also known as ‘ Reliable Transport Method’ – uses acknowledgement (ack)
packets on successful receipt of data
• Extra packets slows down communication
• Features are
o Reliability
o Slower Communication
o Packets are re-transmitted if unrecognisable or not received
• Once all the data is received successfully , the packet is re-assembled and the
Transport Layer passes it to the Session Layer

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 Connectionless Transmissions
• In this mode the transmitting device does not require acknowledgements from the
receiver, and continues to transmit on the assumption that the data was received
• Features are:
o Little or No Reliability
o Faster Transmission
o Packets are not Re-transmitted

Flow Control
• Establishes the maximum speed at which both sender and receiver can
communicate at
• Transport Layer determines largest packet size which can be sent
• Packets are numbered – to allow re-assembly in the correct order

Network Layer
• Responsible for the correct addressing and delivery of packets of data
• These are known as datagrams
• Uses the network address ( this is a logical address – and does not depend upon
any hardware in the device, or the device’s physical location)
• Physical and Logical Topologies will be discussed in a later lecture

The Network Layer does the following:

• Adds the address to the packet (encapsulation)
• Maps the network address to the devices physical address
• Determines the best path for the packet (routing)
• Ensures that the packet is in the correct format for the destination

How does it work ?

• Encapsulation at the Transport Layer involves adding the address of the sender to
the datagram
• The destination address is now added. Both addresses are logical.
• Both addresses are necessary for packets to move between end systems.

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• If a packet must move to another network, a routing protocol is required
• If different packet lengths are used on the different networks, the Network Layer
formats the data accordingly
• The primary piece of hardware which works on this layer is the router. (covered
in detail, later in course)

Physical Layer
• The lowest, bottom, layer – responsible for the physical connection between
devices
• The NIC converts the data (bits) in to transmission signals.
• Transmissions may be analogue or digital
• Responsible for the rate of transmission
• Includes all components such as the type of connector (RJ-45, Token Ring, BNC,
SC connector)
• Devices at this level include NICs, repeaters, hubs and concentrators