OSI Model

Networking and Computer Security

 Topics
• The OSI reference model
• Services in the OSI model
 OSI Reference Model
• OSI Reference Model - internationally
standardised network architecture.
• OSI = Open Systems Interconnection: deals
with open systems, i.e. systems open for
communications with other systems.
• Model has 7 layers.
 7-Layer OSI Model
Layer 7 Application Layer • Layers 1-4 relate to
Layer 6 Presentation Layer communications technology.
• Layers 5-7 relate to user
Layer 5 Session Layer
applications.
Layer 4 Transport Layer

Layer 3 Network Layer

Layer 2 Data Link Layer

Layer 1 Physical Layer

Communications subnet boundary

 Layer 7: Application
Layer
• Level at which applications access
network services.
– Represents services that directly support
software applications for file transfers,
web services database access, and
electronic mail etc.
 Layer 6: Presentation
Layer
• Related to representation of
transmitted data
– Translates different data representations
from the Application layer into uniform
standard format
• Providing services for secure efficient
data transmission
– e.g. data encryption, and data
compression.
 Layer 5: Session Layer
• Allows two applications on different
computers to establish, use, and end a
session.
– e.g. file transfer, remote login
• Establishes dialog control
– Regulates which side transmits, plus when and
how long it transmits.
• Performs token management and synchronization.
 Layer 4: Transport
Layer
• Manages transmission packets
– Repackages long messages when
necessary into small packets for
transmission
– Reassembles packets in correct order to
get the original message.
• Handles error recognition and
recovery.
– Transport layer at receiving
acknowledges packet delivery.
– Resends missing packets
 Layer 3: Network Layer
• Manages addressing/routing of data within
the subnet
– Addresses messages and translates logical
addresses and names into physical addresses.
– Determines the route from the source to the
destination computer
– Manages traffic problems, such as switching,
routing, and controlling the congestion of data
packets.
• Routing can be:
– Based on static tables
– determined at start of each session
– Individually determined for each packet, reflecting the
 Layer 2: Data Link
Layer
· Packages raw bits from the Physical
layer into frames (logical, structured
packets for data).
· Provides reliable transmission of
frames
· It waits for an acknowledgment from the
receiving computer.
· Retransmits frames for which
acknowledgement not received
 Layer 1: Physical Layer
• Transmits bits from one computer to
another
• Regulates the transmission of a stream of
bits over a physical medium.
• Defines how the cable is attached to the
network adapter and what transmission
technique is used to send data over the
cable. Deals with issues like
– The definition of 0 and 1, e.g. how many volts represents a
1, and how long a bit lasts?
– Whether the channel is simplex or duplex?
– How many pins a connector has, and what the function of
each pin is?
 Internet Protocols vs
OSI with PDU
PDU
Application

Presentation Data Application

Session

Transport segment TCP

Network Network IP

Data Link Frame Network Interface

Physical Bits Hardware

• Explicit Presentation and session
layers missing in Internet Protocols
• Data Link and Network Layers
redesigned
 Services in the OSI
Model
• In OSI model, each layer provide services to
layer above, and ‘consumes’ services provided
by layer below.
• Active elements in a layer called entities.
• Entities in same layer in different machines
called peer entities.
 Router as a Computer
► Routers Operate at Layers 1, 2 & 3
– Router receives a stream of encoded bits
– Bits are decoded and passed to layer 2
– Router de-encapsulates the frame
– Remaining packet passed up to layer 3
 -Routing decision made at this layer by examining destination IP address
– Packet is then re-encapsulated & sent out outbound interface
 Connections
• Layers can offer connection-oriented or
connectionless services.
• Connection-oriented like telephone system.
• Connectionless like postal system.
• Each service has an associated Quality-of-
service (e.g. reliable or unreliable).
 Reliability
• Reliable services never lose/corrupt data.
• Reliable service costs more.
• Typical application for reliable service is file
transfer.
• Typical application not needing reliable service
is voice traffic.
• Not all applications need connections.