The OSI Reference Model

7 Application The OSI Model will be used

throughout your entire
6 Presentation
networking career!
5 Session
4 Transport
3 Network
Memorize it!
2 Data Link
1 Physical

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 Don’t Get Confused.

ISO - International Organization for Standardization

OSI - Open System Interconnection

IOS - Internetwork Operating System

The ISO created the OSI to make the IOS more efficient.
The “ISO” acronym is correct as shown.

To avoid confusion, some people say “International

Standard Organization.”
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 Layer 7 - The Application Layer
7 Application This layer deal with
networking applications.
6 Presentation
5 Session Examples:
4 Transport  Email
 Web browsers
3 Network
2 Data Link PDU - User Data
1 Physical

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 Layer 6 - The Presentation Layer
7 Application This layer is responsible for
presenting the data in the
6 Presentation
required format which may
5 Session include:
4 Transport  Encryption
 Compression
3 Network
2 Data Link PDU - Formatted Data
1 Physical

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 Layer 5 - The Session Layer
7 Application This layer establishes, manages,
and terminates sessions
6 Presentation
between two communicating
5 Session hosts.
4 Transport
Example:
3 Network  Client Software
2 Data Link ( Used for logging in)

1 Physical PDU - Formatted Data

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 Layer 4 - The Transport Layer
7 Application This layer breaks up the data
from the sending host and then
6 Presentation
reassembles it in the receiver.
5 Session
4 Transport It also is used to insure reliable
data transport across the
3 Network network.
2 Data Link
PDU - Segments
1 Physical

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 Layer 3 - The Network Layer
7 Application Sometimes referred to as the
“Cisco Layer”.
6 Presentation
5 Session Makes “Best Path
4 Transport Determination” decisions based
on logical addresses (usually IP
3 Network addresses).
2 Data Link
PDU - Packets
1 Physical

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 Layer 2 - The Data Link Layer
7 Application This layer provides reliable
transit of data across a physical
6 Presentation
link.
5 Session
4 Transport Makes decisions based on
physical addresses (usually MAC
3 Network addresses).
2 Data Link
PDU - Frames
1 Physical

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 Layer 1 - The Physical Layer
This is the physical media
7 Application through which the data,
6 Presentation represented as electronic signals,
is sent from the source host to
5 Session
the destination host.
4 Transport
Examples:
3 Network
 CAT5 (what we have)
2 Data Link  Coaxial (like cable TV)
1 Physical  Fiber optic

PDU - Bits
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