KADUNA POLYTECHNIC

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

HND II (REGULAR)

ASSIGNMENT

ON

DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING (COM 414)

BY

HASSAN MUSTAPHA
(CST20HND0016)

SUBMITTED TO:
DR. M. A. AHMED

NOVEMBER, 2022
What is OSI Model in Computer Network [Definition]
The OSI model in computer network or OSI stands for Open System Interconnection model
is a conceptual model that describes the functionality of the networking system with no
regard to the underlying technology infrastructure. The OSI model was introduced in 1984. It
is divided into seven abstract layers of data communication and standardized protocols into
appropriate groups of networking functionality.

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. It is designed to be an abstract model and
teaching tool, the OSI model remains a useful tool for learning about today's network
technologies such as Ethernet and protocols like the Internet Protocol.

OSI Model Layers

As we mentioned previously, the OSI model is divided into 7 different layers and here we are
explaining these 7 layers of OSI model.

Layer 1: Physical Layer

At Layer 1, the Physical layer in the OSI model is responsible for the ultimate transmission of
digital data bits from the Physical layer of the sending (source) device over network
communications media to the Physical layer of the receiving (destination) device. Data are
transmitted through the type of signaling supported by the physical medium: electric
voltages, radio frequencies, pulses of infrared or ordinary light. Some technologies include
Ethernet cables and Token Ring networks. Additionally, hubs and other repeaters are
standard network devices that function at the Physical layer, as are the cable connectors.

Layer 2: Data Link layer

The Data Link layer in OSI model manages the data transmission between physically
connected devices like switches. The raw data from the physical layer after being checked for
physical transmission errors are packed into data frames that contain the protocols to route
information between the appropriate nodes. The Data Link Layer is divided into two
sublayers Media Access Control (MAC) and Logical Link Control (LLC). The Data Link
layer manages physical addressing schemes such as MAC addresses for Ethernet networks,
controlling access of any various network devices to the physical medium. While LLC is
responsible for the flow controls and error controls that ensure error-free and accurate data
transmission between the network nodes.

Layer 3: Network Layer

The Network layer adds the concept of routing above the Data Link layer. When data arrives
at the Network layers, 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 formats the data into packets ready to be 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).

Layer 4: Transport Layer

The transport layer in the OSI model ensures reliable and complete delivery of data packets.
This layer provides flow control, error control, and congestion control which keeps the
packets error-free and sends the information to the other layers. Layer 4 ensures that a packet
is sent in response to a specific process by using the service-point addressing function. The
most common protocols include the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for connection-
oriented data transmission and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for connectionless data
transmission.
Layer 5: Session Layer
The Session Layer in OSI model manages the sequence and flow of events that initiate and
tear down network connections. A common example includes HTTPS sessions which allow
users to visit and browse websites for a specific time period. Layer 5 is responsible for a wide
array of functions including setting up, destroying, and re-establishing session activities,
authorization, and authentication of communication between specific apps and servers. The
most commonly used protocols include Point-to-point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Session
Control Protocol (SCP), Remote Procedure Call protocol (RPC), and Session Description
Protocol (SDP).

Layer 6: Presentation Layer

The presentation layer in OSI model is responsible for data compression, data translation,
character code translation, encryption, and decryption of data. Layer 6 is responsible for
translating incoming data into a syntax that the application layer of the receiving device can
understand. If the devices are communicating over an encrypted connection, layer 6 is
responsible for adding the encryption on the sender’s end as well as decoding the encryption
on the receiver's end so that it can present the application layer with unencrypted, readable
data. This layer is primarily responsible for preparing data so that it can be used by the
application layer; in other words, layer 6 makes the data presentable for applications to
consume.

Layer 7: Application Layer

The application layer in the OSI model directly interacts with the user data. Software
applications rely on the application layer to initiate communications. This does not mean that
the client software is part of the application layer but is responsible for the protocols and data
manipulation that the software relies on to present meaningful data to the user. The most
common protocols used in this layer are HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and SMTP
(Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is an email communication protocol).