Network Communication Frameworks

The OSI & TCP/IP Models

By: Laurent Patrice

Faculty of Science and Technology
Mzumbe University
 OSI Model
• OSI Model: Open Systems Interconnection
• International standard organization (ISO) established a committee in
1977 to develop an architecture for computer communication.
• Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model is the result of
this effort. In 1984, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
reference model was approved as an international standard for
communications architecture
• Is a framework that characterizes and standardizes the
communication functions of a telecommunication/computing systems
• Term “open” denotes the ability to connect any two systems which
conform to the reference model and associated standards

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 OSI Model…
• Its purpose is to facilitate communications between different
networks without requiring changes to the underlying software
and hardware
• The model is the generalized concept of how network
communication can be implemented
• It is not a protocol but a model for understanding and
designing a network architecture that is flexible, robust and
interoperable
• It is a layered framework for the design of network system that
allows communication between all types of computer systems
• Describes seven separate but related layers each of which
defines a part of the process of moving information across a
network
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 OSI Model…
• It is a framework into which the various networking standards can
fit
• The model is widely used to discuss and refer to the layers of
technology involved in networking
• It separates the processes into specific layers
• It is a method of describing how the interconnecting sets of
networking hardware and software can be organized to work in
the network
• Using layered approach we can categorize the procedures that
are necessary to transmit data across network
• It guides the designers and developers how to design and
develop protocols

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 OSI Model…
• The OSI model is now considered the primary Architectural model for
inter‐computer communications
• It describes how information or data makes its way from application
programs (such as spreadsheets, email, etc) through a network
medium (such as wire) to another application program located on
another network
• The OSI reference model divides the problem of moving information
between computers over a network medium into SEVEN smaller and
more manageable problems
• This separation into smaller more manageable functions is known as
layering.

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 OSI Model…
• Each layer defines part of the process of moving information
across networks.
• OSI model allows communications between all types of
computer systems and networks
• It allows modifications to be done to one layer without
touching/affecting the other layers

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 Benefits of the layered OSI model
• Create a protocol that can be designed and tested in stages,
which, in turn, reduces the complexity
• Enhance functionality of the protocol without adversely affecting
the other layers
• Provide multivendor compatibility
• Allow for easier troubleshooting by locating the specific layer
causing the problem
• It defines what each layer should do but not how to do it
• As a result developers have freedom to choose the best method
they can design
• Each layer has a specific function for which it is responsible

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• Although there are other models in existence which describe
the communication process, OSI model is the most widely
taught model
• Each layer is separated, or encapsulated, from other layers,
therefore enabling each layer to function on its own
• Each layer can only communicate with the layers above and
below it

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• The flow of data starts
at the Application layer
of the sending
computer, flows down
the layers, across the
wire to the receiving
computer, and then
back up the layers to
the Application layer

Flow of data from sending computer to receiving computer

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 Physical layer
• It is the bottom layer of the OSI model
• Responsible for the actual physical connection between devices
such as by twisted pair cable
• Defines mechanical and electrical specification of the interfaces
and transmission media
• Defines a set procedures and functions that physical devices
and interfaces have to perform for data transmission to occur
• Defines the representation of bits (binary digits) into electrical or
optical signals for transmission, i.e. how data is encoded on
the medium

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 Physical layer…
• Defines the number of bits sent each second i.e. transmission
rate
• Synchronization of bits is to ensure that sender and receiver
use the same bit rate
• Provides the physical topologies

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 Data link layer
• Responsible for node-to-node delivery of data
• Receives the data from the network layer and creates frames,
add physical address to frames and pass them to physical layer
• Makes physical layer error free to upper layers
• Divides the stream of bits received from network layer into
manageable units called frames
• Physical addressing: adds a header to the frame to define its
sender and receiver
• Flow control: Prevents the fast sender from drowning the slow
receiver

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 Data link layer…
• It consists of two sub layers
Logical Link Layer (LLC) : Establishes and maintains links between
communicating devices
 Provides flow control, error detection, and multiplexing for multiple
network protocols
 The LLC ensures that data frames are properly synchronized between
the sender and receiver, helping devices identify the start and end of
frames in the data stream.
Medium Access Control (MAC): Defines the methods and provides
addressing information for communication between network devices
 Controls access to the physical medium, determining how devices
share the communication channel
 Manages physical addressing (MAC addresses) for frame transmission
 Handles collision detection and avoidance in shared media networks
(e.g., Ethernet).
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 Network layer
• Responsible for the source-to-destination (Network-to-Network)
delivery of packets across multiple networks (links).
• If two systems are attached to different networks with devices
like routers, then network layer is used
• Responsible for logical (IP) addressing:
When a packet is sent outside the network, the network layer
adds a logical (network) address of the sender and receiver to
each packet.
• Routing: Provides mechanism for routing data packets to be
transmitted (routed) between independent (separate) networks

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 Transport layer
• Responsible for application-to-application delivery of the entire
message
• Ensures that the whole message arrives to the destination intact
and in order; oversees both error control and flow control at the
source-to-destination level.
• Service point addressing: ensures that packets are delivered
from one application on one computer to a specific program on
another computer
• Packet segmentation and reassembly: Involves dividing a
message into transmittable segments with each segment given a
sequence number and then reassembling them at the destination.
• Responsible for end-to-end flow control operations
• Responsible for end-to-end error control operations

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 Session layer
• It is the fifth layer of the OSI model.
• It is responsible for initiating, maintaining, and terminating the
communication between two devices.
• It is responsible for establishing checkpoints, adjournment,
termination and restart or recovery procedure

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 Presentation layer
• Handles three primary tasks:
Data translation: Because of the existence of different
encoding schemes, presentation layer puts data in the format
that can be understood by the recipient
Data compression: Reduces data size to optimize transmission
speed and efficiency, decompressing it at the receiving end (e.g.,
compressing images or videos for faster transfer).
Data encryption: Encodes data to protect it against
interception and spying.
 Ensures data is formatted correctly for the receiving application,
handling syntax differences

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 Application layer
• The Application Layer, the seventh and topmost layer of the OSI model, serves as
the interface between the network and the end-user applications
• It enables software applications to communicate over a network by providing
protocols and services that facilitate user interactions and data exchange
• Provides network services directly to user applications, such as web browsers,
email clients, etc
• Enables communication between applications on different devices, ensuring
seamless data exchange
• Supports protocols tailored to specific applications, such as:
HTTP/HTTPS: For web browsing
SMTP/POP3/IMAP: For email services
FTP/SFTP: For file transfers
DNS: For domain name resolution
Telnet/SSH: For remote access

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 TCP/IP MODEL

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 TCP/IP Model
• The TCP/IP Model is a conceptual framework used to describe the
functions of a network communication system, primarily designed
for the Internet
• Unlike the seven-layer OSI model, the TCP/IP model is simpler,
consisting of four layers that map protocols and processes to
facilitate data transmission across networks
• It is named after its two core protocols:
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and
Internet Protocol (IP).

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 TCP/IP Model Layers

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 Network Access Layer
• This layer corresponds to the combination of Data Link Layer and
Physical Layer of the OSI model.
• Handles the physical transmission of data over hardware, including:
Framing,
Physical addressing (MAC addresses), and
Media access control

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 Internet layer
• Responsible for logical addressing, routing, and forwarding packets
across different networks.
• It defines the protocols which are responsible for logical transmission
of data over the networks
• The main protocol residing at this layer is the IP protocol
IP – stands for Internet Protocol and it is responsible for logical
addressing of network packets and routes packets to their
destination.

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 Transport Layer
• It is responsible for end-to-end communication, flow control, and error-
free delivery of data.
• It protects the upper-layer applications from the complexities of data.
• The two main protocols present in this layer are :
 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) – It is known to provide
reliable and error-free communication between end systems.
It performs sequencing and segmentation of data.
It also has acknowledgment feature and controls the flow of the
data through flow control mechanism.
 User Datagram Protocol (UDP) – Does not provide reliable and
error-free communication between end systems.
It is the go-to protocol if your application does not require reliable
transport as it is very cost-effective.
• Unlike TCP, which is connection-oriented protocol, UDP is
connectionless.
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 Application Layer
• This combines the functionality of top three layers of the OSI model:
Application,
Presentation, and
Session Layer
• Handles user-facing services and data formatting for applications
• Some of the protocols present in this layer are: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP etc

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 Similarities between OSI and TCP / IP Reference
Models
• Both the reference models are based upon layered architecture.
• The layers in the models are compared with each other.
The physical layer and the data link layer of the OSI model
correspond to the link layer of the TCP/IP model.
The network layers and the transport layers are the same in both
the models.
The session layer, the presentation layer and the application layer
of the OSI model together form the application layer of the TCP/IP
model.
• In both models, protocols are defined in a layer-wise manner.
• In both models, data is divided into packets and each packet may
take the individual route from the source to the destination.
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 Differences between OSI and TCP / IP Reference
Models
• OSI model is a generic model that is based upon functionalities of each layer while TCP/IP
model is a protocol-oriented standard.
• OSI model distinguishes the three concepts, namely, services, interfaces, and protocols
while TCP/IP does not have a clear distinction between these three.
• Services
Each OSI layer defines specific functions or services it provides to the layer above it
Services are well-defined tasks that a layer performs, independent of how they are
implemented
• Interfaces
Interfaces specify how adjacent layers interact. Each layer communicates with the
layer above or below it
• Protocols
Protocols are the specific rules and formats a layer uses to perform its services
• In the TCP/IP model, layers are defined by specific protocols rather than abstract
services. The model focuses on how protocols work together rather than separating the
service from the protocol
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 Differences between OSI and TCP / IP Reference
Models
• In OSI, the model was developed first and then the protocols in each layer were
developed, while in the TCP/IP suite, the protocols were developed first and then
the model was developed.
 The OSI model was designed first as a general, abstract blueprint with seven
layers, each defining specific services (e.g., data transfer, routing, session
management).
Protocols were later developed or adapted to fit the OSI model’s layers
 In TCP/IP key protocols like TCP, IP, UDP, FTP, and HTTP were developed first
to address practical networking needs, such as reliable data transfer (TCP)
and addressing/routing (IP).
 The TCP/IP model was later formalized as a descriptive framework to
explain how these existing protocols worked together
The model was derived from the protocols, resulting in its four-layer
structure (Application, Transport, Internet, Network Access)
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 Differences between OSI and TCP / IP Reference
Models
• OSI model gives guidelines on how communication needs to be done, while
TCP/IP protocols layout standards on which the Internet was developed. So,
TCP/IP is a more practical model.
• The OSI has seven layers while the TCP/IP has four layers.

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