The OSI Reference Model Flashcards
Commonly referred to as the OSI model or the OSI stack. This seven-layer model categorizes various network technologies.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model
The name given to data at different layers of the OSI model. Specifically, the PDU for Layer 4 is segment. The Layer 3 PDU is packet, the Layer 2 PDU is frame, and the Layer 1 PDU is bit.
protocol data unit (PDU)
(data service unit)

One way to electrically or optically represent a binary 1 or 0 is to use current state modulation, which represents a binary 1 with the presence of voltage (on a copper cable) or the presence of light (on a fiber-optic cable). Similarly, the absence of light or voltage represents a binary 0.
current state modulation
(Layer 1 - The Physical Layer)

One way to electrically or optically represent a binary 1 or 0 is to use the transition between a voltage level (for example, going from a state of no voltage to a state of voltage, or vice versa, on a copper cable) or the transition of having light or no light on a fiber-optic cable to represent a binary 1. Similarly, a binary 0 is represented by having no transition in a voltage level or light level from one time period to the next. This approach of representing binary digits is called state transition modulation.
state transition modulation
(Layer 1 - The Physical Layer)

A mathematical algorithm that is executed on a data string by both the sender and the receiver of the data string. If the calculated CRC values match, the receiver can conclude that the data string was not corrupted during transmission.
cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
Layer 1 of the OSI model. This layer is concerned with the transmission of bits on a network.
Examples of devices defined by Layer 1 standards include hubs, wireless access points, and network cabling.
physical layer
Layer 1 devices view a network as a physical topology (as opposed to a logical topology).

As Layer 2 of the OSI model, this layer is concerned with the packaging of data into frames and transmitting those frames on a network, performing error detection/correction, uniquely identifying network devices with an address (MAC or LLC), and handling flow control.
data link layer
Layer 2 devices view a network as a logical topology.
Examples of devices defined by data link layer standards include switches, bridges, and NICs.

Layer 3 of the OSI model. This layer is primarily concerned with forwarding data based on logical addresses.
network layer
Examples of devices found at the network layer include routers and multilayer switches. The most common Layer 3 protocol in use, and the protocol on which the Internet is based, is IPv4. However, IPv6 is beginning to be more common on networks today.

As Layer 4 of the OSI model, it acts as a dividing line between the upper layers and the lower layers. Specifically, messages are taken from the upper layers (Layers 5–7) and encapsulated into segments for transmission to the lower layers (Layers 1–3). Similarly, data streams coming from lower layers are decapsulated and sent to Layer 5 (the session layer) or some other upper layer, depending on the protocol.

transport layer (OSI model)
In addition to TCP and UDP, Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is another transport layer protocol you are likely to meet. ICMP is used by utilities such as ping and traceroute, which are discussed in Lesson 10,”Command-Line Tools.”

As Layer 5 of the OSI model, it’s responsible for setting up, maintaining, and tearing down sessions.
session layer

Layer 6 of the OSI model. This layer is responsible for the formatting of data being exchanged and securing the data with encryption.
presentation layer

Layer 7 of the OSI model. This layer provides application services to a network. An important yet often-misunderstood concept is that end-user applications do not reside at the application layer. Instead, the application layer supports services used by end-user applications. Another function of the application layer is advertising available services.
application layer (OSI model)
Recall that even though the application layer is numbered as Layer 7, it is at the top of the OSI stack because its networking functions are closest to the end user.

The network interface layer of the TCP/IP stack (also known as the network access layer) encompasses the technologies addressed by Layers 1 and 2 (that is, the physical and data link layers) of the OSI model.
network interface layer
This layer of the TCP/IP stack maps to Layer 3 (network layer) of the OSI model. Although multiple routed protocols (for example, IPv4 and IPv6) may reside at the OSI model’s network layer, the Internet layer of the TCP/IP stack focuses on IP as the protocol to be routed through a network.
Internet layer
The transport layer of the TCP/IP stack maps to Layer 4 (transport layer) of the OSI model. The two primary protocols found at the TCP/IP stack’s transport layer are TCP and UDP.
transport layer (TCP/IP stack)
Addresses concepts described by Layers 5, 6, and 7 (that is, the session, presentation, and application layers) of the OSI model.
application layer (TCP/IP stack)
Supports different communication sessions (for example, different telephone conversations in a telephony network) on the same physical medium by allowing sessions to take turns. For a brief period of time, defined as a time slot, data from the first session is sent, followed by data from the second session. This continues until all sessions have had a turn, and the process repeats itself.
time-division multiplexing (TDM)
A connection-oriented transport protocol. Connection-oriented transport protocols provide reliable transport, in that if a segment is dropped, the sender can detect that drop and retransmit that dropped segment. Specifically, a receiver acknowledges segments that it receives. Based on those acknowledgments, a sender can determine which segments were successfully received.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
A connectionless transport protocol. Connectionless transport protocols provide unreliable transport, in that if a segment is dropped, the sender is unaware of the drop, and no retransmission occurs.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Also known as the DoD model, this four-layer model (as opposed to the seven-layer OSI model) targets the suite of TCP/IP protocols.
TCP/IP stack
As previously described, the OSI model consists of seven layers:
All People Seem To Need Data Processing
or
Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away
Layer 1: The physical layer
Layer 2: The data link layer
Layer 3: The network layer
Layer 4: The transport layer
Layer 5: The session layer
Layer 6: The presentation layer
Layer 7: The application layer

Layer 1 PDU
bit (binary)
Layer 2 PDU
frame
Layer 3 PDU
packet






























