5/16/2019 OSI Model Layers — “Explained” – Madhav Bahl – Medium

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OSI Model Layers — “Explained”
Madhav Bahl Follow
Apr 15, 2018 · 6 min read

The OSI Model sure seems weird and hard to understand to many people,
therefore I am writing this short and to the point article to help out
whoever is having trouble understanding the OSI Model.

Definition
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model is a conceptual model
that characterises and standardises the communication functions of a
telecommunication or computing system without regard to its
underlying internal structure and technology. Its goal is the
interoperability of diverse communication systems with standard
protocols.

Let’s Understand
Okay, that was the proper definition of OSI model. The definition looks
quite simple and to the point, but when it comes to the elucidation of
OSI model, many of us get confused and are not able to realize what it
really is.
First thing that comes to people’s mind when they hear the OSI model
is that they will have to do a lot of memorization and cramming. This
was exactly what happened when I read about OSI Layers the first time.

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5/16/2019 OSI Model Layers — “Explained” – Madhav Bahl – Medium

So, in this article, we will see about the OSI model and it’s seven layers.
Therefore, read this article if you need to understand what the OSI
model is all about.

The OSI Model
OSI stands for “Open Systems Interconnection”. The exact definition of
the OSI Model has been already given above. In simpler words, to be
precise, the OSI model is a tool used by IT professionals to actually
model or trace the actual flow of how data transfers in networks. So,
basically, the OSI model is a logical model/representation of how the
network systems are supposed to send data (or, communicate) to each
other.

What is it composed of?

The OSI Model breaks down this data transfer/communication
procedure into different components (called layers). Why layers,
because those components follow a proper order of execution. For
example, the Physical Layer in which the “physical” wiring and
connections take place, the Data Link Layer in which switching takes
place, etc. In a total, there are seven layers which together make up the
OSI Model.

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5/16/2019 OSI Model Layers — “Explained” – Madhav Bahl – Medium

Why OSI Model?
The purpose of the OSI reference model is to guide vendors and
developers so the digital communication products and software
programs they create will interoperate, and to facilitate clear
comparisons among communications tools. Most vendors involved in
telecommunications make an attempt to describe their products and
services in relation to the OSI model.
Moreover, it is critically very important for an IT professional to have a
clear idea about the OSI Model. This is due to the fact that, in case of
some network problems, using the OSI Layers, they can narrow down
and figure out in which part the problem is. So having an OSI Layered
approach for troubleshooting network problems is a very useful.

Advantages Of OSI Model
• It creates a common platform for software developers and
hardware manufactures that encourage the creation of networking
products that can communicate with each other over the network.

• It helps network administrators by dividing large data exchange

process in smaller segments.

• Due to the independence of layers, it prevents changes in one layer

from affecting other layers.

• Standardization of network components allows multiple-vendor

development.

• It structures very well the functions particular to each layer.

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• It reduces complexity and accelerates evolution

• It simplifies teaching and learning

Seven Layers Of OSI Model
As discussed in the previous section, the OSI Model is composed of
seven layers with the application layer, which is closest to the end user,
at the top, going all the way down to physical layer, in which the actual
data transfer happens with the use of a transmission medium.

7. Application Layer
This is the topmost layer in the seven OSI Layers. This is the layer that
the end-user (can be a computer programmer, or a regular PC user) is
actually interacting with. This layer allows access to network resources.

6. Presentation Layer
This is the layer in which the operating system operates with the data.
Main functions of this layers includes translation, encryption and
compression of data. Basically User interacts with Application layer,
which sends the data down to Presentation layer.

5. Session Layer
This layer has the job of maintaining proper communication by
establishing, managing and terminating sessions between two
computers. For example, whenever we visit any website, our computer
has to create a session with the web server of that website.

4. Transport Layer
This layer has a very important job. It decides how much information
should be sent at a time. So, when you are communicating with a

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5/16/2019 OSI Model Layers — “Explained” – Madhav Bahl – Medium

website, this layer will decide how much data you can transfer and
receive at a given point of time. Also, this layer provides reliable process
to process message delivery and error recovery.

3. Network Layer
The main job of this layer is to move packets from source to destination
and provide inter-networking. This is the layer that the routers operate
on. Since routers operate at the network level, hence we can say that
the IP address is at the network level.

2. Data Link Layer
This layer is responsible for organising bits into frames and ensuring
hop to hop delivery. This is the layer on which the Switches operate on.
Since routers operate at the network level, hence we can say that the
MAC address resides at the data link layer. All the computers in a
specific network get plugged inito a switch so that they can
communicate with each other.

1. Physical Layer
This is the layer on which the real transmission of data bits takes place
through a medium. This layer is, as the name suggests, all the physical
stuff that connects the computers together.

A simple mnemonic for memorising the
names of OSI layers
There is a simple way to learn the OSI Layers, just remember this
sentence

All People Seem To Need Data Processing

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5/16/2019 OSI Model Layers — “Explained” – Madhav Bahl – Medium

A — Application — All

P — Presentation — People

S — Session — Seem

T — Transport — To

N — Network — Need

D — Data Link Layer — Data

P — Physical — Processing

Concluding Words
This was a short and to the point article explaining the OSI Model, to
help out all those who are having hard time understanding the model.
Hope it will help you understand the OSI model, in case you are stuck
and trying to by-heart and cram the OSI Layers.

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5/16/2019 OSI Model Layers — “Explained” – Madhav Bahl – Medium

Also, you can refer this awesome youtube video to get a clear picture of
OSI Model, which is explained by taking analogy with train and railway
system.

Hope it helps :)

Thanks a lot for reading till end. 

All the best and Happy Learning!
You can contact me in case of any doubts or if you need any assistance:
Email: madhavbahl10@gmail.com
Web: http://www.madhavbahl.tech/
Github: https://github.com/MadhavBahlMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhavbahl/

References
1. https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/OSI

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Uoku-M6oY

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