Part 2

OSI reference model

Modern computer networks are designed in a highly structured way. To reduce their design complexity, most networks are organized as a series of layers, each one built upon its predecessor. The OSI reference model is based on a proposal developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The model is called ISO/OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model because it deals with the connecting open systems. These are the systems that are open for communication with other systems.

The Open System Interconnect model (OSI) can be viewed, as asset of functional layers connecting the rules that network and stations must follow to exchange information. A standard protocol lists specific rules that must apply at a certain layer (or layers) across different types of equipment manufactured by different vendors. There are seven layers of OSI model. The OSI reference model is a concept that describes how data communication should take place. It provides common basis for the coordination of standards development for system interconnection, while allowing existing standards to be placed into perspective within the overall model.

The OSI model has seven layers. The principles that are applied to arrive at the seven layers are as follows:

1. A layer should be created where a different layer of abstraction is needed.
2. Each layer should perform a well-defined function.
3. The function of each layer should be chosen with an eye towards defining internationally standardized protocols.
4. The layer boundaries should be chosen to minimize the information flow across the interfaces.
5. The number of layers should be large enough that distinct functions need not to be thrown together in the same layer out of necessity, and small enough that the architecture does not become unwieldy.

OSI Model Features

1. The international organization introduced the OSI layer for standardization (ISO) in 1984 in order to provide a reference model to make sure products of different vendors would interoperate in networks.
2. OSI is short or open system interconnection.
3. The OSI layer shows what needs to be done to send data from an application on one computer, through a network, to an application on another computer, not how it should be done.
4. A layer in the OSI model communicates with three other layers: the layer above it, the layer below it, and the same layer at its communication partner.
5. Data transmitted between software programs passes all 7 OSI layers.
6. The application, presentation and session layers are also known as upper layers.
7. The data link and physical layers are often implemented together to define LAN and WAN specifications.

Data Encapsulation process

1. Data encapsulation is the process of adding a header to wrap the data that flows down the OSI model.
2. Each OSI layer may add its own header to the data received from above. (From the layer above or from the application layer)
3. The 5 steps of data encapsulation are:
   1. The application, presentation and session layers create data from user’s input.
   2. The transport layer converts the data to segments.
   3. The network layer converts the segments to packets (or datagrams).
   4. The data link layer converts the packets to frames.
   5. The physical layer converts the frames to bits.
4. At the sending computer the information goes from top to bottom while each layers divides the information received from upper layers to the smaller pieces and adds a header. At the receiving computer the information flows up the model discarding the corresponding header at each layer and putting the data.

The below table shows the different types of OSI layers, their functions, protocols and network components used at that layer:

Resource:

https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/osi-model/

https://study-ccna.com/encapsulation/