WHAT IS AN OSI LAYER?

 

WHAT IS AN OSI?                             

                             -An Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a fundamental framework used to understand how computer networks function. 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.

 WHAT ARE THE 7 LAYERS OF AN OSI?

• PHYSICAL
• DATA LINK
• NETWORK
• TRANSPORT
• SESSION
• PRESENTATION
• APPLICATION

ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

             

             - Yes of course, the OSI layers is important because it helps to determine the required hardware and software to build a network. Understand and communicate the process followed by components communicating across a network. Perform troubleshooting, by identifying which network layer is causing an issue and focusing efforts on that layer. Understand new technologies as they are developed. Compare primary functional relationships on various network layers.

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF OSI LAYERS?

1. PHYSICAL LAYER

                -The lowest layer of the OSI reference model is the physical layer. It is responsible for the actual physical connection between the devices. The physical layer contains information in the form of bits. It is responsible for transmitting individual bits from one node to the next. When receiving data, this layer will get the signal received and convert it into 0s and 1s and send them to the Data Link layer, which will put the frame back together.  

Functions of the Physical Layer

• Bit synchronization: The physical layer provides the synchronization of the bits by providing a clock. This clock controls both sender and receiver thus providing synchronization at the bit level.
• Bit rate control: The Physical layer also defines the transmission rate i.e. the number of bits sent per second.
• Physical topologies: Physical layer specifies how the different, devices/nodes are arranged in a network i.e. bus, star, or mesh topology.
• Transmission mode: Physical layer also defines how the data flows between the two connected devices. The various transmission modes possible are Simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex.

Note:

1. Hub, Repeater, Modem, and Cables are Physical Layer devices. 
2. Network Layer, Data Link Layer, and Physical Layer are also known as Lower Layers or Hardware Layers.

2. DATA LINK

           -The data link layer is responsible for the node-to-node delivery of the message. The main function of this layer is to make sure data transfer is error-free from one node to another, over the physical layer. When a packet arrives in a network, it is the responsibility of the DLL to transmit it to the Host using its MAC address. 
The Data Link Layer is divided into two sublayers:  

1. Logical Link Control (LLC)
2. Media Access Control (MAC)

The packet received from the Network layer is further divided into frames depending on the frame size of the NIC(Network Interface Card). DLL also encapsulates Sender and Receiver’s MAC address in the header. 

The Receiver’s MAC address is obtained by placing an ARP(Address Resolution Protocol) request onto the wire asking “Who has that IP address?” and the destination host will reply with its MAC address.  

Functions of the Data Link Layer

• Framing: Framing is a function of the data link layer. It provides a way for a sender to transmit a set of bits that are meaningful to the receiver. This can be accomplished by attaching special bit patterns to the beginning and end of the frame.
• Physical addressing: After creating frames, the Data link layer adds physical addresses (MAC addresses) of the sender and/or receiver in the header of each frame.
• Error control: The data link layer provides the mechanism of error control in which it detects and retransmits damaged or lost frames.
• Flow Control: The data rate must be constant on both sides else the data may get corrupted thus, flow control coordinates the amount of data that can be sent before receiving an acknowledgment.
• Access control: When a single communication channel is shared by multiple devices, the MAC sub-layer of the data link layer helps to determine which device has control over the channel at a given time.

Note:

1. Packet in the Data Link layer is referred to as Frame. 
2. Data Link layer is handled by the NIC (Network Interface Card) and device drivers of host machines. 
3. Switch & Bridge are Data Link Layer devices.

3. NETWORK LAYERS

The network layer works for the transmission of data from one host to the other located in different networks. It also takes care of packet routing i.e. selection of the shortest path to transmit the packet, from the number of routes available. The sender & receiver’s IP addresses are placed in the header by the network layer. 

Functions of the Network Layer 

• Routing: The network layer protocols determine which route is suitable from source to destination. This function of the network layer is known as routing.
• Logical Addressing: To identify each device on Internetwork uniquely, the network layer defines an addressing scheme. The sender & receiver’s IP addresses are placed in the header by the network layer. Such an address distinguishes each device uniquely and universally.

Note:

1. Segment in the Network layer is referred to as Packet. 
2. Network layer is implemented by networking devices such as routers and switches.  

4 TRANPORT LAYER

        -The transport layer provides services to the application layer and takes services from the 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. The transport layer also provides the acknowledgment of the successful data transmission and re-transmits the data if an error is found.

At the sender’s side: The transport layer receives the formatted data from the upper layers, performs Segmentation, and also implements Flow and error control to ensure proper data transmission. It also adds Source and Destination port numbers in its header and forwards the segmented data to the Network Layer. 

Note: The sender needs to know the port number associated with the receiver’s application. 

Generally, this destination port number is configured, either by default or manually. For example, when a web application requests a web server, it typically uses port number 80, because this is the default port assigned to web applications. Many applications have default ports assigned. 

At the receiver’s side: Transport Layer reads the port number from its header and forwards the Data which it has received to the respective application. It also performs sequencing and reassembling of the segmented data. 

Functions of the Transport Layer 

• Segmentation and Reassembly: This layer accepts the message from the (session) layer, and breaks the message into smaller units. Each of the segments produced has a header associated with it. The transport layer at the destination station reassembles the message.
• Service Point Addressing: To deliver the message to the correct process, the transport layer header includes a type of address called service point address or port address. Thus by specifying this address, the transport layer makes sure that the message is delivered to the correct process.

Services Provided by Transport Layer 

1. Connection-Oriented Service
2. Connectionless Service

1. Connection-Oriented Service: It is a three-phase process that includes

• Connection Establishment
• Data Transfer
• Termination/disconnection

In this type of transmission, the receiving device sends an acknowledgment, back to the source after a packet or group of packets is received. This type of transmission is reliable and secure.

2. Connectionless service: It is a one-phase process and includes Data Transfer. In this type of transmission, the receiver does not acknowledge receipt of a packet. This approach allows for much faster communication between devices. Connection-oriented service is more reliable than connectionless Service.

Note:  

1. Data in the Transport Layer is called Segments. 
2. 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. 
3. The transport layer is called as Heart of the OSI model. 
4. Device or Protocol Use : TCP, UDP  NetBIOS, PPTP

5 SESSION LAYER

This layer is responsible for the establishment of connection, maintenance of sessions, and authentication, and also ensures security.

Functions of the Session Layer

• Session establishment, maintenance, and termination: The layer allows the two processes to establish, use, and terminate a connection.
• Synchronization: This layer allows a process to add checkpoints that are considered synchronization points in the data. These synchronization points help to identify the error so that the data is re-synchronized properly, and ends of the messages are not cut prematurely and data loss is avoided.
• Dialog Controller: The session layer allows two systems to start communication with each other in half-duplex or full-duplex.

Note:

1. All the below 3 layers(including Session Layer) are integrated as a single layer in the TCP/IP model as the ????pplication Layer”. 
2. Implementation of these 3 layers is done by the network application itself. These are also known as Upper Layers or Software Layers. 
3. Device or Protocol Use :  NetBIOS, PPTP.

For example:-

Let us consider a scenario where a user wants to send a message through some Messenger application running in his browser. The “Messenger” here acts as the application layer which provides the user with an interface to create the data. This message or so-called Data is compressed, encrypted (if any secure data), and converted into bits (0’s and 1’s) so that it can be transmitted.  

Communication in Session Layer

6. Presentation Layer – Layer 6

The presentation layer is also called the Translation layer. The data from the application layer is extracted here and manipulated as per the required format to transmit over the network. 

Functions of the Presentation Layer

• Translation: For example, ASCII to EBCDIC.
• Encryption/ Decryption: Data encryption translates the data into another form or code. The encrypted data is known as the ciphertext and the decrypted data is known as plain text. A key value is used for encrypting as well as decrypting data.
• Compression: Reduces the number of bits that need to be transmitted on the network.

Note: Device or Protocol Use:  JPEG, MPEG, GIF

7.  Application Layer – Layer 7

At the very top of the OSI Reference Model stack of layers, we find the 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. 

Example: Application – Browsers, Skype Messenger, etc. 

Note: 1. The application Layer is also called Desktop Layer.  

          2.  Device or Protocol Use :  SMTP

Functions of the Application Layer

The main functions of the application layer are given below.

• Network Virtual Terminal: It allows a user to log on to a remote host.
• FTAM- File transfer access and management: This application allows a user to
  access files in a remote host, retrieve files in a remote host, and manage or
  control files from a remote computer.
• Mail Services: Provide email service.
• Directory Services: This application provides distributed database sources
  and access for global information about various objects and services.

Note: OSI model acts as a reference model and is not implemented on the Internet because of its late invention. The current model being used is the TCP/IP model.  

What is the Flow of Data in OSI Model?

When we transfer information from one device to another, it travels through 7 layers of OSI model. First data travels down through 7 layers from the sender’s end and then climbs back 7 layers on the receiver’s end.

Advantages of OSI Model

OSI Model defines the communication of a computing system into 7 different layers. Advantages of OSI Model include:

• It divides network communication into 7 layers which makes it easier to understand and troubleshoot.
• It standardizes network communications, as each layer has fixed functions and protocols.
• Diagnosing network problems is easier with the OSI model.
• It is easier to improve with advancements as each layer can get updates separately.