CompTIA Network+

Chapter 2: OSI Specifications

 Chapter 2 Objectives
The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are
Covered in This Chapter:

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 Internetworking Models
• The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model
was created by the International Organization for
Standardization (late 1970s)

• Developed so different vendor networks could work with

each other

• The OSI model is the primary architectural model for

networks

• Uses a “layers” approach

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 Advantages of Reference Models
• Divides the network communication process into smaller
and simpler components, thus aiding component
development, design, and troubleshooting.
• Allows multiple-vendor development through
standardization of network components.
• Encourages industry standardization by defining what
functions occur at each layer of the model.
• Allows various types of network hardware and software to
communicate.
• Prevents changes in one layer from affecting other layers,
so it doesn’t hamper development and makes application
programming easier.
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The OSI Model

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 OSI Layer Functions

• File, print, message, database, and application services

Application

• Data encryption, compression, and translation services

Presentation

• Dialog control, establishes-maintains-tears down sessions

Session

• End-to-end connection
Transport

• Routing
Network

• Framing
Data Link

• Physical topology
Physical

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 The Upper Layers

• Provides a user interface

Application

• Presents data
Presentation • Handles processing such as encryption

• Keeps different applications’

Session data separate

Transport

Network Application Layers

Data Link

Physical

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 The Lower Layers

Application

Presentation Network Layers

Session

• Provides reliable or unreliable delivery

Transport • Performs error correction before retransmit
• Provides logical addressing which routers use for path
Network determination
• Combines packets into bytes and bytes into frames
Data Link • Provides access to media using MAC address
• Performs error detection not correction
• Moves bits between devices
Physical • Specifies voltage, wire speed, and pin-out of cables

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 Application Layer

• The Application layer of the OSI model marks the spot

where users communicate or interact with the
computer.

• Coordinates partnering applications and forms a

consensus on procedures for controlling data integrity
and error recovery.
 Presentation Layer

• Gets its name from its purpose: it presents data to the

Application layer and is responsible for data translation
and code formatting.

• The Presentation layer ensures compatibility of

Application layers
 Session Layer

• Responsible for setting up, managing, and then

tearing down sessions between presentation layer
entities.

• Provides dialog control between devices, or nodes.

 Transport Layer

• Segments and reassembles data into a data stream

• Provides end-to-end data transport services and can

establish a logical connection between the sending
host and destination host on an internetwork

• Responsible for providing the mechanisms for

multiplexing upper-layer applications, establishing
virtual connections, and tearing down virtual
circuits
 Reliability
(Connection Oriented)
Reliable data transport employs a connection-oriented
communications session between systems, and the
protocols involved ensure that the following will be
achieved:

• Delivered segments are acknowledged

• Segments not acknowledged are retransmitted
• Segments are reassembled at their destination
• A manageable data flow is maintained

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A Connection Oriented Session

Sender Receiver
SYN

SYN/ACK

ACK

Connection Established

Data transfer
(Send bytes of Segments)

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 Flow Control

Sender Receiver

Transmit

Buffer full

Not ready –
STOP!

Segments
processed

GO!

Transmit

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Windowing Flow Control

Sender Receiver

Window size of 1
Send 1 Receive 1
Ack 1

Send 2 Receive 2

Ack 2

Window size of 3
Send 1
Send 2
Send 3

Ack 4

Send 4

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 Acknowledgements

Sender Receiver

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Send 1
Send 2
Send 3

Ack 4

Send 4

Send 5 Connection lost!

Send 6

Ack 5

Send 5

Ack 7
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 What Type Of Connection Am I
Using At The Network Layer?
• TCP
– Connection Oriented Communication
– Uses “three-way” handshake
– Creates and uses a “virtual circuit”

• UDP
– Connectionless Communication
– No acknowledgement of data
– Does not use a “virtual circuit”

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 Routing at Layer 3
• First, when a packet is received on a router interface,
the destination IP address is checked.
• If the packet isn’t destined for that router, it looks up its
destination on the routing table.
• Once it finds its destination, the packet is sent to that
interface to be framed and sent out over the local
network
• If a destination can’t be reached, the packet is dropped.
– Data Packets
– Route-update packets

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 Routing at Layer 3

3.0
1.0
3.1
1.1

2.1 2.2
1.3 3.3

E0 E0
S0 S0
3.2
1.2

Routing table Routing table

NET INT Metric NET INT Metric

1 E0 0 1 S0 1
2 S0 0 2 S0 0
3 S0 1 3 E0 0

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Routers at Layer 3

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 Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

Logical Link Control (LLC) – Identifies network layer protocols and then
encapsulates them, LLC headers tell the data link layer what to do with a packet
once a frame is received.
Media Access Control (MAC) – Defines how packets are placed on the media,

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802 Standards

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 The Physical Layer

• Sends bits and receives bits (1 or 0)

• Communicates directly with the various types of media

• Specifies the electrical, mechanical, procedural, and

functional requirements for activating, maintaining, and
deactivating a physical link between end systems

• Specifies the layout of the transmission media

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 Data Encapsulation
PDU

Application

Presentation
Upper layer data
Session
TCP Header Upper layer data Segment Transport

IP Header Segment Packet Network

LLC Header Packet FCS

Frame Data Link
MAC Header Packet FCS

0101110101001000010 Bits Physical

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 Modulation Techniques
• The purpose of digital modulation is to transfer a digital
bit stream over an analog bandpass channel.
• In networks, modulation is the process of varying one or
more properties of a waveform, called the carrier signal,
with a signal that typically contains information to be
transmitted.
• Modulation of a waveform transforms a baseband
(Ethernet or wireless) message signal into a passband
signal, or a signal that is within a specific range that
prevents attenuation.
• A modulator is a device that performs modulation of a
signal and a demodulator is a device that performs
demodulation, the inverse of modulation. We typically
just call these modems 26
 Summary

• Summary
• Exam Essentials Section
• Written Labs
• Review Questions

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