Introduction to data communication

1. Layering. It is a model where a whole network process is divided in to various smaller

sub-tasks, where by a single layer performs a specific task that is assigned to it. For
instance OSI is an example of network layering. It consists of seven layers, each with it‘s
own purpose and responsibility.

2. OSI Model was first developed in 1978 by a French software engineer and Pioneer,
Hubert Zimmermann. It belongs to the International Organization for standards (ISO).
TCP/IP Model was designed in 1970‘s by two scientists- Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, It
belongs to The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

3. TCP/IP is a practical model that addresses specific communication challenges and relies
on standardized protocols, while OSI helps visualize and communicate how networks
operate, and helps isolate and troubleshoot networking problems.
4.

Scenarios OSI Model TCP/IP Model

Sending an Application Layer: A Separate When an email is sent

Email Email is created by the Application using simple mail
Layer using the simple mail transfer protocol
transfer protocol. The Application (SMTP) from an email
layer places a header server.
(encapsulation) field that contains
information such as screen size and The transport layer in the
fonts, and passes the data to the server divides the
Presentation layer. message into packets,
numbers them, and
2) Presentation Layer: This layer forwards them to the IP
places header information. The text layer.
in the message is converted to
ASCII. The Presentation layer will Network layer (IP layer )
then pass the new data to the then transports each
Session layer. packet to the destination
email server. And when
3) Session Layer: This Layer will those packets arrive, they
start a new and separate session are handed back to the
for communication between the TCP layer to be
devices and manages the flow of reassembled into the
 data in the same session only and original message format
data received from previous layer is and handed back to the
sent to the Transportation Layer. email server,

4) Transportation Layer: Here the which delivers the

Data received is broken into message to a user’s email
segments of Data and pushes them inbox.
forward to Network Layer.

5) Network Layer: This Layer stores

the Source and Destination
addresses so a network is formed, it
converts the segments received into
packets.

6) Data Layer: The data of the

packets is converted into Frames.
Then the data is send to Physical
Layer.

7) Physical Layer: The data of the

Frames is converted into bit stream
(the information is in binary 0’s and
1’s) and eventually the data is
reached to the Receiver’s end
(teacher).
Sending a
file Application Layer: The user initiates
file transfer using an application (e.g.,
FTP or HTTP).
Presentation Layer: The file data is
formatted and encoded for
transmission. This layer ensures that
the data is in a readable format on
both ends.
Session Layer: Manages and
establishes sessions for
communication between the sender
and receiver. It ensures that the file
transfer is coordinated and error-
checked.
Transport Layer: Segments the file
into smaller packets and manages
Application Layer: The
user decides to send a
file, and an application
(e.g., FTP or HTTP) is
used to facilitate the
transfer.
Transport Layer: The
application communicates
with the Transport layer,
and if using a protocol like
FTP or HTTP, it often
uses TCP for reliable data
transfer.
Internet Layer: The data is
broken into packets, and
IP addresses are added to
these packets. Routing
 end-to-end communication. If using
TCP, it provides reliable and ordered
delivery.
Network Layer: Adds logical
addresses (IP addresses) to the
packets, enabling them to be routed
through the network.
Data Link Layer: Frames the packets
and adds physical addresses (MAC
addresses). It ensures error detection
and correction within the local
network.
Physical Layer: Converts the frames
into electrical/optical signals suitable
for transmission over the physical
medium (e.g., cables, wireless
signals).
Receiving a Physical Layer (Layer 1): is where
Telegram the actual signals (electrical, optical,
text etc.) carrying the message traverse
the medium, reaching your device. It
involves the physical hardware and
transmission medium used to
transmit the data.
Data Link Layer (Layer 2): At this
layer, the received signals are
transformed into frames, and
protocols like Ethernet may come into
play. The frames are then passed up
to the next layer.
Network Layer (Layer 3): The
network layer handles addressing
and routing. It extracts the destination
IP address from the received frames, Internet Layer: The
enabling the device to determine
where the data should be sent next.
Transport Layer (Layer 4):
Depending on the protocol used,
such as TCP or UDP, this layer
information is included,
allowing them to navigate
the internet.
Link Layer: The packets
are further encapsulated
into frames, including
MAC addresses for
devices within the local
network.
Physical Layer: The
frames are converted into
physical signals suitable
for the medium, whether
it's wired (Ethernet) or
wireless (Wi-Fi).
Physical Layer: The
physical layer deals with
the actual transmission of
bits over the physical
medium, whether it's
through cables, wireless
signals, or other means.
The received bits are then
passed up the layers.
Data Link Layer: At the
link layer, protocols like
Ethernet handle the
framing and addressing of
data for the local network.
It prepares the data for
physical transmission.
Internet Protocol (IP) at
the internet layer helps
route the received packets
to the correct destination
device on the network by
extracting the destination
 ensures reliable and ordered delivery
of the data. It may involve
assembling the received data into a
complete message.
Session Layer (Layer 5): The session
layer manages communication
sessions, establishing and
terminating connections. In the
context of receiving a Telegram text,
this layer may handle the
establishment of a secure connection
between your device and the
Telegram servers.
Presentation Layer (Layer 6): The
presentation layer deals with data
translation, encryption, and
compression. It might decrypt the
received message and ensure it's in
a readable format for the application
layer.
Application Layer (Layer 7): Finally,
the application layer deals with the
interaction between the user and the
application. In this case, the
Telegram app processes the
received message, decrypts it if
necessary, and presents it to you for
viewing.
Done by:
Sandile Nhlapo :901017231
Phethile Nhlapo :901017268
Nonyana Mohale:901017208
Lefa Rapopo :901017142
IP address.
Transport Layer: If
Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) is used,
this layer ensures the
reliable and ordered
delivery of data. It
acknowledges the
received packets and
manages retransmission if
needed. If User Datagram
Protocol (UDP) is used, it
provides a connectionless
and faster delivery without
guaranteed order or error-
checking.
Application Layer: The
Telegram app at the
application layer receives
the incoming data. It
interprets the data,
decrypts if necessary, and
presents the message to
the user.