Computer Networks II

CSC 102
 Open Systems
Interconnection Model
§ 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.
§ Term “open” denotes the ability to connect any
two systems which conform to the reference model
and associated standards.
 What is OSI?
§ OSI serves as a "reference model" for how
information is transmitted between any two
points in a network.
§ It guides manufacturers (a.k.a. vendors) so
they can make products that will work with
other products.
§ The OSI model is comprised of seven layers
that are involved in communicating between
two nodes of a network.
 OSI Reference Model

§ The OSI model is now considered the primary

Architectural model for inter-computer
communications.
§ The OSI model describes how information or
data makes its way from application
programmes (such as spreadsheets) through a
network medium (such as wire) to another
application programme located on another
network.
 OSI Reference Model
§ 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.
 Layer Architecture
§ The network management is easier due to the
layered architecture.
§ Network layers follow a set of rules, called protocol.
§ The protocol defines the format of the data being
exchanged, and the control and timing for the
handshake between layers.
§ Layer architecture simplifies the network design.
§ It is easy to debug network applications in a layered
architecture network.
 OSI: A Layered Network
Model
§ The process of breaking up the functions
or tasks of networking into layers reduces
complexity.
§ Each layer provides a service to the layer
above it in the protocol specification.
§ Each layer communicates with the same
layer’s software or hardware on other
computers.
 OSI: A Layered Network
Model
§ The lower 4 layers (transport, network, data
link and physical —Layers 4, 3, 2, and 1) are
concerned with the flow of data from end to
end through the network.
§ The upper three layers of the OSI model
(application, presentation and session—Layers
7, 6 and 5) are orientated more toward
services to the applications.
§ Data is Encapsulated with the necessary
protocol information as it moves down the
layers before network transit.
 ISO/OSI Reference Model

7. Application Layers 5-7 relate to

user
6. Presentation
applications.
5. Session

4. Transport
Layers 1-4 relate to
3. Network
communications
2. Data Link technology.
1. Physical
 The Role of Layers in Point-to-
point CommunicationNode b
Node a

7. Application 7. Application

1.Physical
1. Physical
 Virtual Communication
Between Layers

7. Application 7. Application

3. Network 3. Network
 Layer 7: Application Layer

§ This layer 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.
 Layer 7: Application Layer
 Everything at this layer is application-
specific. This layer provides application
services for file transfers, e-mail, and other
network software services. Telnet and FTP
are applications that exist entirely in the
application level.

 These are not applications (like Word and

Excel) but services for such applications!
Layer 7: Application Layer
 Purpose
 User application to network service
interface
 Examples
 File request from server
 E-mail services
 Web browsers
 etc.
Functions Application Layer
 General network access
 Flow control
 Error recovery
 Layer 6: Presentation Layer
 Presentation layer defines the format in
which the data is to be exchanged
between the two communicating entities.

 Also handles data compression and data

encryption (cryptography).
 Layer 6: Presentation
Layer
§ The Presentation Layer is concerned with
the representation of data to be
transmitted, e.g. providing a standard
encoding for data.

§ Different computers often use different

representations for data structures such as
characters (ASCII or EBCDIC), integers
and floating point values
 Layer 6: Presentation
Layer
§ The Presentation Layer provides a
standard encoding technique (using
ASN.1 - Abstract Syntax Notation 1).

§ In terms of the usual communications

model, the Presentation Layer is
responsible for source coding of data.
Presentation Layer
 Purpose
 Formats data for exchange between points
of communication
 Ex: Between nodes in a network
 Example:
 Redirector software
 Formats for transmission to the server
Functions Presentation
Layer
 Protocol conversion
 Defines the format in which the data is
to be exchanged between the two
communicating entities.
 Handles data compression and data
encryption
 Character set conversion
 Layer 5: Session Layer

§ S e s s i o n l aye r p rov i d e s m e c h a n i s m fo r
controlling the dialogue between the two end
systems e.g. to allow remote logins to a
multi-user system, or to perform file transfer
between machines.

§ It defines how to start, control and end

conversations (called sessions) between
applications.
 Layer 5: Session Layer
§ Any necessary log-on or password validation
is also handled by this layer.
§ Session layer is also responsible for
terminating the connection.
§ This layer provides services like dialogue
discipline which can be full duplex or half
duplex.
§ This layer requests for a logical connection to
be established on an end-user’s request.
 Layer 5: Session Layer
§ This layer provides services like dialogue
discipline which can be full duplex or half
duplex.

§ Session layer can also provide check-

pointing mechanism such that if a failure
of some sort occurs between checkpoints,
all data can be retransmitted from the last
checkpoint.
Session Layer
 Purpose
 Oversee a communication session
 Establish
 Maintain
 Terminate
Functions of Session Layer
 Performs name recognition and related
security
 Synchronization between sender and
receiver
 Assignment of time for transmission
 Start time
 End time etc.
 Layer 4: Transport Layer

§ The basic function of the Transport Layer is to

take data from the Session Layer (Layer 5),
split it up into smaller units (as necessary),
and pass these units on to the Network Layer.

§ It is then also responsible for ensuring that

all the pieces are received correctly and
reassembled in the correct order.
 Layer 4: Transport Layer
§ Transport Layer creates a distinct Network
Layer connection for each Transport
connection requested by the Session Layer.
§ However, depending on the data load and the
capacity of a single Session channel:
§ multiple Network connections might be used to
support a single high-bandwidth Session
connection, or
§ one high-bandwidth Network connection might be
used to support several Session connections.
 Layer 4: Transport Layer
§ The Transport Layer also determines what
Type of Service to provide to the Session
Layer and, ultimately, to the network users.
For example:
§ An error-free, point-to-point channel, guaranteeing
data is delivered in the correct order (the most
common type of service),
§ Transport of isolated messages with no guarantee
of correct ordering, or
§ Message broadcast to multiple destinations
Transport Layer
 Purpose
 Repackage proper and efficient delivery of
packages
 Error free
 In sequence
 Without duplication
Functions Transport Layer
 For sending entire message
 Repackage the message to fit into packets
 Split long messages
 Assemble small messages
 On receiving data
 Perform the reverse
 Send an acknowledgment to the sender
 Solve packet problems
 During transmission and reception
 Layer 3: Network Layer
§ Implements routing of frames (packets)
through the network (It divides the outgoing
messages into packets and then assembles
the incoming packets into messages for
higher levels).

§ Defines the most optimum path the packet

should take from the source to the
destination.
 Layer 3: Network Layer

§ Handles congestion in the network.

§ It acts as a network controller. It manages
the Subnet traffic.
§ Facilitates interconnection between
heterogeneous networks
(Internetworking).
§ The network layer also defines how to
fragment a packet into smaller packets to
accommodate different media.
Layer 3: Network Layer
 Purpose
 Addressing and routing the packets
 Example application at the router
 If the packet size is large, splits into small
packets

Message unit at this layer is called packet

 Functions of Network
Layer
 Address messages
 Address translation from logical to physical
 Ex: elizade ----------> 102.13.345.25
 Routing of data
 Based on priority
 Best path at the time of transmission
 Congestion control
 Layer 2: Data Link Layer
§ This layer takes the ‘raw’ transmission
facility provided by the Physical Layer
(Layer 1) and uses it to provide a reliable,
error-free transmission service.

§ It does this by breaking the data stream

up into frames, typically of thousands of
bytes in length.
 Layer 2: Data Link Layer

§ The Physical Layer transmits a continuous

sequence of bits, and so the data link
layer must create and recognize frame
boundaries. This is typically done by the
insertion of special bit patterns.

§ Data link layer attempts to provide

reliable communication over the physical
layer interface.
 Layer 2: Data Link Layer

§ Handle errors by implementing an

acknowledgement and retransmission
scheme.
§ Implement flow control.
§ Supports points-to-point as well as
broadcast communication.
§ Supports simplex, half-duplex or full-
duplex communication.
Data Link Layer
 Purpose
 Manages the flow of data over the physical
media
 Responsible for error-free transmission
over the physical media
 Assures error-free data submission to
the Network Layer
Functions of Data Link
Layer
 Point of origin
 Packages data for transmission over physical line
 Receiving end
 Packages data for submission to the network layer
 Deals with network transmission protocols
 Breaks the outgoing data into frames and
reassemble the received frames.
 Create and detect frame boundaries.
 Layer 1: Physical Layer
§ The Physical Layer is concerned with the
details of bit transmission over a physical
channel.
§ Design issues for this layer include:
§ 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.
 Layer 1: Physical Layer
§ Covers all - mechanical, electrical,
functional and procedural - aspects for
physical communication.
§ Such characteristics as voltage levels,
timing of voltage changes, physical data
rates, maximum transmission distances,
physical connectors, and other similar
attributes are defined by physical layer
specifications.
 Layer 1: Physical Layer
§ Provides physical interface for transmission
of information (unstructured raw data over
network).
§ Defines rules by which bits are passed
from one system to another on a physical
communication medium.
§ It activates, maintains and deactivates the
physical connection.
§ Data encoding is also done in this layer.
Physical Layer
 Purpose
 Deals with the transmission of 0s and 1s
over the physical media
 Translation of bits into signals
 Example
 Pulse duration determination
 Transmission synchronization
 etc.
Functions of Physical
Layer
 Encode bits into signals
 Carry data from the higher layers over the
physical medium to the physical layer of
the other node
 Define the interface to the card
 The Main Benefits of
the OSI Model
§ Helps users understand the big picture of
networking
§ Helps users understand how hardware and
software elements function together
§ Makes troubleshooting easier by separating
networks into manageable pieces
 The Main Benefits of
the OSI Model
§ Defines terms that networking
professionals can use to compare basic
functional relationships on different
networks
§ Helps users understand new
technologies as they are developed
§ Aids in interpreting vendor explanations
of product functionality