OSI Model Layers and Their Functions

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework used to

understand and implement network protocols in seven layers. Each layer has specific
functions and communicates with the layers directly above and below it.

1. Physical Layer (Layer 1)

 Function: Deals with the physical connection between devices, including cables,
switches, and other hardware. It defines the electrical, mechanical, and procedural
specifications for activating, maintaining, and deactivating the physical link between
end systems.
 Examples: Ethernet cables, USB, Bluetooth.

2. Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

 Function: Ensures reliable data transfer across the physical link. It is responsible for
error detection and correction, framing, and flow control. It is divided into two
sublayers: Logical Link Control (LLC) and Media Access Control (MAC).
 Examples: MAC addresses, Ethernet, PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol).

3. Network Layer (Layer 3)

 Function: Handles the routing of data packets across the network, determining the
best path to send data from source to destination. It manages logical addressing and
translates logical addresses into physical addresses.
 Examples: IP (Internet Protocol), ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol).

4. Transport Layer (Layer 4)

 Function: Provides reliable data transfer services to the upper layers. It ensures
complete data transfer, error recovery, and flow control. It also segments and
reassembles data for transmission.
 Examples: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

5. Session Layer (Layer 5)

 Function: Manages and controls the connections between computers. It establishes,

maintains, and terminates sessions between applications.
 Examples: NetBIOS, RPC (Remote Procedure Call).

6. Presentation Layer (Layer 6)

 Function: Translates, encrypts, and compresses data. It ensures that data sent by the
application layer of one system can be read by the application layer of another system.
 Examples: SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security), JPEG, ASCII.

7. Application Layer (Layer 7)

  Function: Provides network services directly to end-user applications. It supports
application services and facilitates communication between software applications and
lower layers of the OSI model.
 Examples: HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SMTP
(Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

18 Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for UGC NET - Computer Science

1. Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for the routing of packets?

 Answer: Network Layer

2. What is the main function of the Transport Layer in the OSI model?

 Answer: Ensuring complete data transfer, error recovery, and flow control.

3. In the OSI model, which layer is responsible for data encryption and decryption?

 Answer: Presentation Layer

4. Which OSI layer provides the physical means for transmitting data?

 Answer: Physical Layer

5. The MAC address is a function of which OSI layer?

 Answer: Data Link Layer

6. What is the primary function of the Session Layer?

 Answer: Establishing, maintaining, and terminating sessions between applications.

7. Which OSI layer is responsible for end-to-end communication and error handling?

 Answer: Transport Layer

8. At which layer does IP addressing occur in the OSI model?

 Answer: Network Layer

9. In the OSI model, where does packet sequencing occur?

 Answer: Transport Layer

10. Which layer of the OSI model handles the translation of data formats?

 Answer: Presentation Layer

11. Which layer is responsible for establishing a communication session between two
applications?
  Answer: Session Layer

12. Which layer of the OSI model handles flow control and error correction?

 Answer: Data Link Layer

13. At which layer does SSL/TLS operate in the OSI model?

 Answer: Presentation Layer

14. Which layer of the OSI model provides services directly to end-user applications?

 Answer: Application Layer

15. What is the function of the Network Layer in the OSI model?

 Answer: Routing of data packets and logical addressing.

16. Which OSI layer is responsible for framing data packets?

 Answer: Data Link Layer

17. At which OSI layer does data compression occur?

 Answer: Presentation Layer

18. Which OSI layer provides logical addressing and path determination functions?

 Answer: Network Layer

1. Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for the physical transmission of data?

 a) Data Link Layer

 b) Transport Layer
  c) Physical Layer
 d) Network Layer

Answer: c) Physical Layer Explanation: The Physical Layer is responsible for the physical
connection between devices, including cables, switches, and other hardware.

2. What is the primary function of the Data Link Layer?

 a) Routing data packets

 b) Establishing sessions
 c) Ensuring reliable data transfer
 d) Data encryption and decryption

Answer: c) Ensuring reliable data transfer Explanation: The Data Link Layer ensures
reliable data transfer across the physical link, including error detection and correction.

3. At which OSI layer does IP addressing occur?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Data Link Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Application Layer

Answer: c) Network Layer Explanation: The Network Layer handles logical addressing,
such as IP addresses, and routing of data packets.

4. Which OSI layer is responsible for error detection and correction?

 a) Application Layer
 b) Data Link Layer
 c) Physical Layer
 d) Network Layer

Answer: b) Data Link Layer Explanation: The Data Link Layer is responsible for error
detection and correction to ensure reliable data transfer.

5. In the OSI model, which layer is responsible for data encryption and decryption?

 a) Network Layer
 b) Transport Layer
 c) Presentation Layer
 d) Session Layer

Answer: c) Presentation Layer Explanation: The Presentation Layer handles data

translation, encryption, and compression.

6. Which layer provides services directly to end-user applications?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Network Layer
  c) Application Layer
 d) Session Layer

Answer: c) Application Layer Explanation: The Application Layer provides network

services directly to end-user applications.

7. Which layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating sessions?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Session Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Data Link Layer

Answer: b) Session Layer Explanation: The Session Layer manages and controls the
connections between computers.

8. Which OSI layer is responsible for segmenting and reassembling data?

 a) Network Layer
 b) Data Link Layer
 c) Transport Layer
 d) Application Layer

Answer: c) Transport Layer Explanation: The Transport Layer segments and reassembles
data for transmission and ensures reliable data transfer.

9. Which OSI layer handles logical addressing and path determination?

 a) Physical Layer
 b) Network Layer
 c) Data Link Layer
 d) Transport Layer

Answer: b) Network Layer Explanation: The Network Layer handles logical addressing and
determines the best path for data transmission.

10. At which OSI layer does packet sequencing occur?

 a) Application Layer
 b) Network Layer
 c) Transport Layer
 d) Data Link Layer

Answer: c) Transport Layer Explanation: The Transport Layer ensures data packets are
delivered in the correct sequence.

11. Which OSI layer is responsible for flow control and error control?

 a) Network Layer
 b) Data Link Layer
  c) Transport Layer
 d) Presentation Layer

Answer: b) Data Link Layer Explanation: The Data Link Layer manages flow control and
error control to provide reliable data transfer.

12. Which OSI layer handles the translation of data formats?

 a) Application Layer
 b) Presentation Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Session Layer

Answer: b) Presentation Layer Explanation: The Presentation Layer translates data formats
to ensure compatibility between systems.

13. At which layer does SSL/TLS operate in the OSI model?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Presentation Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Data Link Layer

Answer: b) Presentation Layer Explanation: SSL/TLS operates at the Presentation Layer to

provide encryption and secure communication.

14. Which layer is responsible for establishing a communication session between two
applications?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Session Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Data Link Layer

Answer: b) Session Layer Explanation: The Session Layer establishes, maintains, and
terminates sessions between applications.

15. Which OSI layer manages logical addressing and routing of data packets?

 a) Data Link Layer

 b) Network Layer
 c) Transport Layer
 d) Presentation Layer

Answer: b) Network Layer Explanation: The Network Layer handles logical addressing and
routing of data packets.

16. Which layer provides the physical means for transmitting data?

 a) Data Link Layer

  b) Transport Layer
 c) Physical Layer
 d) Network Layer

Answer: c) Physical Layer Explanation: The Physical Layer deals with the physical
connection between devices and the transmission of data.

17. At which layer does framing occur in the OSI model?

 a) Application Layer
 b) Data Link Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Physical Layer

Answer: b) Data Link Layer Explanation: The Data Link Layer is responsible for framing,
which involves packaging data into frames for transmission.

18. Which layer of the OSI model handles flow control and error correction for reliable
data transfer?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Network Layer
 c) Data Link Layer
 d) Presentation Layer

Answer: c) Data Link Layer Explanation: The Data Link Layer handles flow control and
error correction to ensure reliable data transfer.

19. Which OSI layer is responsible for ensuring data integrity and proper sequencing?

 a) Data Link Layer

 b) Network Layer
 c) Transport Layer
 d) Application Layer

Answer: c) Transport Layer Explanation: The Transport Layer ensures data integrity and
proper sequencing of data packets.

20. Which layer is responsible for providing network services directly to end-user
applications?

 a) Transport Layer
 b) Network Layer
 c) Application Layer
 d) Data Link Layer

Answer: c) Application Layer Explanation: The Application Layer provides network

services directly to end-user applications.
21. Which layer is responsible for managing and controlling the connections between
computers?

 a) Data Link Layer

 b) Transport Layer
 c) Network Layer
 d) Session Layer

Answer: d) Session Layer Explanation: The Session Layer manages and controls the
connections between computers, establishing, maintaining, and terminating sessions.