Networking Terminologies
Open System
Interconnection (OSI)
The OSI
model takes the task of inter-networking and divides that up into what is
referred to as a vertical stack that consists of 7 layers. The Open Systems
Interconnection model (OSI model) is a conceptual model, in fact, it's not even
tangible. It doesn't perform any functions in the networking process. It is a
conceptual framework so we can better understand complex interactions that are
happening.
Layer 1
Physical
The
physical layer consists of the basic networking hardware transmission
technologies of a network. It conveys the bit stream electrical impulse, light
or radio signal through the network. It provides the hardware means of sending
and receiving data on a carrier, including defining cables, network interface cards
and physical aspects. Fast Ethernet, RS232, and ATM etc., are the protocols
with physical layer components. This is perhaps the most complex layer in the
OSI architecture. examples include Ethernet, FDDI, B8ZS, V.35, V.24, RJ45.
Layer 2
Datalink
The data
link layer or layer 2 is the second layer of the seven-layer OSI model of
computer networking. It furnishes transmission protocol knowledge and
management, and handles errors in the physical layer, flow control and frame
synchronization. The data link layer is concerned with local delivery of frames
between devices on the same LAN. Data-link frames, as these protocol data units
are called, do not cross the boundaries of a local network. The data link layer
is divided into two sub layers: The Media Access Control (MAC) layer and the
Logical Link Control (LLC) layer. The MAC sub layer controls how a computer on
the network gains access to the data and permission to transmit it. The LLC
layer controls frame synchronization, flow control and error checking.
Examples include PPP,
FDDI, ATM, IEEE 802.5 / 802.2, IEEE 802.3/802.2, HDLC, and Frame Relay.
Layer 3
Network
Routing and
forwarding are functions of this layer, as well as addressing, internetworking,
error handling, congestion control and packet sequencing. The network layer is
responsible for packet forwarding including routing through intermediate
routers, since it knows the address of neighboring network nodes, and it also
manages quality of service (QoS), and recognizes and forwards local host domain
messages to the Transport layer. It provides routing technologies, creating
logical paths, known as virtual circuits, for transmitting data from node to
node. Examples include AppleTalk DDP, IP, and IPX.
Layer 4
Transport
Layer 4
provides transparent transfer of data between end systems, or hosts. This layer
maintains flow control of data and provides error checking and recovery of data
between the devices. It ensures complete data transfer from one node to another.
It provides services such as connection-oriented data stream support,
reliability, flow control, and multiplexing. Transport layer looks to see if
data is coming from more than one application and integrates each application's
data into a single stream for the physical network. Examples include SPX, TCP, UDP.
Layer 5 Sessions
Layer 5
establishes, maintains and ends communication with the receiving device. It
provides the mechanism for opening, closing and managing a session between
end-user applications. The session layer coordinates, and terminates
conversations, exchanges, and dialogues between the applications at each end.
Each sessions consist of requests and responses that occur between
applications. It mainly deals with different sessions and connection coordination’s.
Examples include NFS, NetBIOS
names, RPC, SQL
Layer 6 Presentation
The
presentation layer works to transform data into the form that the application
layer can accept. This layer is responsible for the delivery and formatting of
information to the application layer for further processing or display. It
takes the data provided by the Application layer and converts it into a
standard format that the other layers can understand. It is the lowest layer at
which application programmers consider data structure and presentation. It
relieves the application layer of concern regarding syntactical differences in
data representation within the end-user systems. Examples include encryption,
ASCII, EBCDIC, TIFF, GIF, PICT, JPEG, MPEG, MIDI.
Layer 7
Application
An
application layer is an abstraction layer that specifies the shared protocols
and interface methods used by hosts in a communications network. Layer 7,
supports application and end-user processes. Communication partners are
identified, quality of service is identified, user authentication and privacy
are considered, and any constraints on data syntax are identified. This is the
layer that actually interacts with the operating system or application whenever
the user chooses to transfer files, read messages or perform other
network-related activities. Examples include WWW browsers, NFS, SNMP,
Telnet, HTTP, FTP.
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