OSI 7-Layer Model
OSI 7-Layer Model¶
Overview¶
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) 7-layer model is a reference model that standardizes network communication into 7 layers. Published by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in 1984, this model provides a framework enabling communication between different systems. In this lesson, we'll learn about the role of each layer, protocols, PDU concepts, and the encapsulation process.
Difficulty: ββ (Beginner-Intermediate)
Table of Contents¶
- OSI Model Overview
- Detailed Explanation of 7 Layers
- Protocols by Layer
- PDU (Protocol Data Unit)
- Encapsulation and Decapsulation
- Key Devices by Layer
- Practical Application of OSI Model
- Practice Problems
1. OSI Model Overview¶
What is the OSI Model?¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β "Reference model for open systems interconnection" β
β β
β Purpose: β
β 1. Standardize network communication processes β
β 2. Ensure compatibility between different vendor equipment β
β 3. Systematic approach to network troubleshooting β
β 4. Provide common language for developers and engineers β
β β
β History: β
β - 1977: ISO begins work β
β - 1984: OSI reference model published (ISO 7498) β
β - Present: Used as educational/reference model β
β rather than actual implementation β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
7-Layer Structure Overview¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β OSI 7-Layer Model β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Layer Number Layer Name Main Function β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β 7 β Application Layer β β
β β Interface between user and network β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β 6 β Presentation Layer β β
β β Data format conversion, encryption, β β
β β compression β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β 5 β Session Layer β β
β β Manage connection setup, maintenance, β β
β β termination β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β 4 β Transport Layer β β
β β End-to-end reliable data transmission β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β 3 β Network Layer β β
β β Logical addressing, routing β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β 2 β Data Link Layer β β
β β Physical addressing, frame transmission β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β 1 β Physical Layer β β
β β Bit transmission, physical connection β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Mnemonic (top to bottom): β
β "All People Seem To Need Data Processing" β
β (Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, β
β Network, Data Link, Physical) β
β β
β Mnemonic (bottom to top): β
β "Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away" β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer Classification¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer Classification β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Upper Layers (Host Layers) - Software implementation β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 7. Application β β β
β β 6. Presentation β β Data processing/presentation β β
β β 5. Session β β Application support β β
β β 4. Transport β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Lower Layers (Media Layers) - Hardware/firmware β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 3. Network β β β
β β 2. Data Link β β Actual data transmission β β
β β 1. Physical β β Network infrastructure β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
2. Detailed Explanation of 7 Layers¶
Layer 7: Application Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 7: Application β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: Provides interface between user and network services β
β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β User β β
β β β β β
β β [Web Browser] β β
β β β β β
β β ββββββ΄βββββ β β
β β βApplicationβ β β
β β β (HTTP) β β β
β β βββββββββββ β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Provide network services β β
β β - File transfer, email, web browsing β β
β β β β
β β 2. Implement application protocols β β
β β - HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS, SSH β β
β β β β
β β 3. Generate and display data β β
β β - Process user input, display results β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Protocol Examples: β
β ββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β HTTP/S β Web page transmission (port 80/443) β β
β β FTP β File transfer (port 20/21) β β
β β SMTP β Email transmission (port 25) β β
β β POP3 β Email retrieval (port 110) β β
β β IMAP β Email access (port 143) β β
β β DNS β Domain name resolution (port 53) β β
β β SSH β Remote access (port 22) β β
β β Telnet β Remote access (port 23, unencrypted) β β
β ββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer 6: Presentation Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 6: Presentation β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: Data format conversion, encryption, compression β
β "Data translator" β
β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β Application Data β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β Presentation Layer β β β
β β β β β β
β β β ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ β β β
β β β β Format β βEncryptionβ βCompress. β β β β
β β β βConversionβ β(SSL/TLS) β β (GZIP) β β β β
β β β β (Codec) β β β β β β β β
β β β ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ ββββββββββββ β β β
β β β β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Transmittable Form β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Data Translation β β
β β - Character encoding: ASCII, UTF-8, EBCDIC β β
β β - Data formats: JPEG, GIF, MPEG, HTML β β
β β β β
β β 2. Encryption/Decryption β β
β β - SSL/TLS encryption β β
β β - Data security β β
β β β β
β β 3. Compression/Decompression β β
β β - Reduce data size β β
β β - Improve transmission efficiency β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Examples: β
β - SSL/TLS encryption in HTTPS β
β - JPEG image compression β
β - Video streaming codecs (H.264, H.265) β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer 5: Session Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 5: Session β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: Establish, maintain, and terminate communication β
β sessions between two systems β
β "Conversation manager" β
β β
β Session Lifecycle: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β ββββββββββββ β β
β β βConnectionβ β Session start, authentication β β
β β β Setup β β β
β β ββββββ¬ββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β ββββββββββββ β β
β β β Data β β Bidirectional communication β β
β β βTransfer β β Set synchronization points β β
β β β β (checkpoints) β β
β β ββββββ¬ββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β ββββββββββββ β β
β β βConnectionβ β Session termination β β
β β βTeardown β β β
β β ββββββββββββ β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Dialog Control β β
β β - Simplex (one-way) β β
β β - Half-duplex β β
β β - Full-duplex β β
β β β β
β β 2. Synchronization β β
β β - Set checkpoints β β
β β - Provide recovery points on failure β β
β β β β
β β 3. Session Management β β
β β - Authentication and authorization β β
β β - Session ID management β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Communication Modes: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β Simplex: A ββββββββββββΊ B β β
β β (Radio broadcast) β β
β β β β
β β Half-duplex: A βββββββββββΊ B β β
β β (One direction at a time) β β
β β (Walkie-talkie) β β
β β β β
β β Full-duplex: A βββββββββββΊ B β β
β β (Simultaneous bidirectional) β β
β β (Telephone) β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Protocols/Technologies: NetBIOS, RPC, PPTP, SIP β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer 4: Transport Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 4: Transport β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: End-to-end reliable data transmission β
β "Quality manager of data transmission" β
β β
β End-to-End Communication: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β Sending Host Receiving Host β β
β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββ β β
β β βApplicationβ βApplicationβ β β
β β β Process β β Process β β β
β β ββββββ¬βββββ ββββββ¬βββββ β β
β β β β β β
β β ββββββ΄βββββ βββββββββββββββββββ ββββββ΄βββββ β β
β β βTransportβ End-to-end βTransportβ β β
β β β (TCP) β connection β (TCP) β β β
β β β β (virtual) β β β β
β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββ β β
β β β Network β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Segmentation β β
β β - Divide large data into small segments β β
β β - Assign sequence numbers to each segment β β
β β β β
β β 2. Flow Control β β
β β - Adjust transmission speed to receiver's capacity β β
β β - Sliding window method β β
β β β β
β β 3. Error Control β β
β β - Retransmit lost segments β β
β β - Remove duplicate data β β
β β β β
β β 4. Connection Management β β
β β - Connection setup (3-way handshake) β β
β β - Connection teardown (4-way handshake) β β
β β β β
β β 5. Process identification via port numbers β β
β β - Source/destination port numbers β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Major Protocols: β
β βββββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β TCP β Connection-oriented, reliability β β
β β β Order guaranteed, flow/error control β β
β β β Web, email, file transfer β β
β βββββββββββββββΌβββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β β UDP β Connectionless, unreliable β β
β β β Fast transmission, low overhead β β
β β β Streaming, DNS, games β β
β βββββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Port Number Ranges: β
β - Well-known ports: 0-1023 (system/standard services) β
β - Registered ports: 1024-49151 (registered services) β
β - Dynamic ports: 49152-65535 (ephemeral/client) β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer 3: Network Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 3: Network β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: Logical addressing and optimal path determination β
β (routing) β
β "Delivery route designer of postal system" β
β β
β Routing Concept: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β Network A Network B Network C β β
β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββ βββββββββββ β β
β β β192.168. β β10.0.0. β β172.16. β β β
β β β 1.0/24 β β0.0/8 β β0.0/16 β β β
β β ββββββ¬βββββ ββββββ¬βββββ ββββββ¬βββββ β β
β β β β β β β
β β βββββββββ¬βββββββββββ΄ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ β β
β β β β β β
β β ββββββ΄βββββ ββββββ΄βββββ β β
β β β Router1 ββββββββββββ Router2 β β β
β β βββββββββββ βββββββββββ β β
β β β β β β
β β ββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β ββββββ΄βββββ β β
β β βInternet β β β
β β βββββββββββ β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Logical Addressing β β
β β - IP address assignment β β
β β - Network identification β β
β β β β
β β 2. Routing β β
β β - Determine optimal path β β
β β - Manage routing tables β β
β β β β
β β 3. Packet Forwarding β β
β β - Forward packets to next hop β β
β β β β
β β 4. Packet Fragmentation/Reassembly β β
β β - Fragment packets according to MTU β β
β β - Reassemble at destination β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Major Protocols: β
β βββββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β IP β Internet Protocol (IPv4, IPv6) β β
β β ICMP β Error reporting, ping β β
β β ARP β IP β MAC address translation β β
β β RARP β MAC β IP address translation β β
β β OSPF β Routing protocol β β
β β BGP β Inter-AS routing β β
β βββββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Key Devices: Router, L3 Switch β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer 2: Data Link Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 2: Data Link β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: Reliable frame transmission between adjacent nodes β
β "Error corrector of physical layer" β
β β
β Two Sublayers: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β LLC (Logical Link Control) β β β
β β β Logical link control β β β
β β β - Interface with upper layers β β β
β β β - Flow control, error control β β β
β β β - Frame synchronization β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β MAC (Media Access Control) β β β
β β β Media access control β β β
β β β - MAC addressing β β β
β β β - Determine media access method β β β
β β β - Collision detection/avoidance β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Framing β β
β β - Organize bit stream into frames β β
β β - Add start/end delimiters β β
β β β β
β β 2. Physical Addressing β β
β β - MAC address (48 bits) β β
β β - Unique hardware address β β
β β β β
β β 3. Error Detection β β
β β - CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) β β
β β - Checksum β β
β β β β
β β 4. Media Access Control β β
β β - CSMA/CD (Ethernet) β β
β β - CSMA/CA (Wireless) β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Frame Structure (Ethernet): β
β ββββββββ¬ββββββββ¬ββββββββ¬βββββββ¬ββββββββββ¬ββββββ β
β βPream β Dest β Src β Type β Data β FCS β β
β βble β MAC β MAC β β β β β
β β(8B) β(6B) β(6B) β(2B) β(46-1500)β(4B) β β
β ββββββββ΄ββββββββ΄ββββββββ΄βββββββ΄ββββββββββ΄ββββββ β
β β
β Protocols/Technologies: Ethernet (802.3), Wi-Fi (802.11), PPPβ
β Key Devices: Switch, Bridge, NIC β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Layer 1: Physical Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Layer 1: Physical β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Role: Convert bits (0 and 1) to physical signals and transmit β
β "Foundation of the network" β
β β
β Bit Transmission: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β β β
β β Digital Data: 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 β β
β β β β β β β β β β β β
β β βΌ βΌ βΌ βΌ βΌ βΌ βΌ βΌ β β
β β β β
β β Electrical: βββ βββ βββ βββ β β
β β Signal β β β β β β β β β β
β β (Wired) ββββ βββ βββ βββββ ββββ β β
β β β β
β β Optical: β β β β β β β β β β
β β Signal (Light pulses) β β
β β (Fiber) β β
β β β β
β β Wireless: βΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏβΏ β β
β β Signal (Modulated electromagnetic wave) β β
β β (Wi-Fi) β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Main Functions: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β 1. Bit Transmission β β
β β - Convert 0 and 1 to signals β β
β β - Restore signals to 0 and 1 β β
β β β β
β β 2. Define Physical Characteristics β β
β β - Cable type, connector specs β β
β β - Pin arrangement, voltage levels β β
β β β β
β β 3. Define Transmission Mode β β
β β - Simplex/duplex, synchronous/asynchronous β β
β β β β
β β 4. Define Data Transmission Rate β β
β β - Bandwidth, bps (bits per second) β β
β β β β
β β 5. Synchronization β β
β β - Timing alignment between sender and receiver β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Transmission Media: β
β βββββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Wired β Coaxial, UTP, STP, Fiber optic β β
β β Wireless β Radio waves (Wi-Fi), Microwave, Infrared β β
β βββββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Key Devices: Hub, Repeater, Cable, Connector, NIC β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
3. Protocols by Layer¶
Protocol Summary by Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Major Protocols by Layer β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Layer Protocol Description β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β β
β 7. Application HTTP, HTTPS Web communication β
β FTP, SFTP File transfer β
β SMTP, POP3, IMAP Email β
β DNS Domain name resolution β
β DHCP Automatic IP assignment β
β SSH, Telnet Remote access β
β SNMP Network management β
β NTP Time synchronization β
β β
β 6. Presentation SSL/TLS Encryption β
β JPEG, GIF, MPEG Media formats β
β ASCII, EBCDIC Character encoding β
β XDR Data representation β
β β
β 5. Session NetBIOS Network basic I/O β
β RPC Remote procedure call β
β PPTP Tunneling β
β SIP VoIP session control β
β β
β 4. Transport TCP Reliable transport β
β UDP Unreliable fast transport β
β SCTP Stream transport β
β DCCP Datagram congestion control β
β β
β 3. Network IP (IPv4, IPv6) Internet protocol β
β ICMP Error messages, ping β
β ARP, RARP Address translation β
β OSPF, RIP, BGP Routing protocols β
β IGMP Multicast group management β
β β
β 2. Data Link Ethernet (802.3) Wired LAN β
β Wi-Fi (802.11) Wireless LAN β
β PPP Point-to-point connection β
β HDLC Data link control β
β Frame Relay WAN protocol β
β β
β 1. Physical RS-232 Serial communication β
β RJ-45 Ethernet connector β
β IEEE 802.3 Ethernet physical spec β
β DSL Digital subscriber line β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Major Port Numbers¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Major Port Numbers β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Well-Known Ports (0-1023) β
β ββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Port β Protocol β Purpose β β
β ββββββββββββΌβββββββββββΌβββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β β 20 β FTP β Data transfer β β
β β 21 β FTP β Control connection β β
β β 22 β SSH β Secure shell β β
β β 23 β Telnet β Remote access (insecure) β β
β β 25 β SMTP β Mail transmission β β
β β 53 β DNS β Domain name resolution β β
β β 67 β DHCP β Server β β
β β 68 β DHCP β Client β β
β β 80 β HTTP β Web (unencrypted) β β
β β 110 β POP3 β Mail retrieval β β
β β 143 β IMAP β Mail access β β
β β 443 β HTTPS β Web (encrypted) β β
β β 3389 β RDP β Remote desktop β β
β ββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
4. PDU (Protocol Data Unit)¶
PDU Concept¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β PDU (Protocol Data Unit) β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β PDU: Unit of data handled at each layer β
β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Layer PDU Name Components β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€ β
β β 7. Application Data User data β β
β β 6. Presentation Data Encoded data β β
β β 5. Session Data Session data β β
β β 4. Transport Segment Header + data β β
β β or Datagram β β
β β 3. Network Packet Header + segment β β
β β 2. Data Link Frame Header + packet + β β
β β trailer β β
β β 1. Physical Bit Stream of 0s and 1s β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β PDU Structure by Layer: β
β β
β Application/Presentation/Session: β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β DATA β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Transport Layer (Segment): β
β ββββββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β TCP/UDP Hdr β DATA β β
β ββββββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Network Layer (Packet): β
β βββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β IP Hdr β TCP/UDP Hdr β DATA β β
β βββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β Data Link Layer (Frame): β
β ββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββ¬ββββββββ β
β βPreambleβEther Hdr β IP Hdr β Segment β FCS β β
β ββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββ΄ββββββββ β
β β
β Physical Layer (Bits): β
β 10110010 11010101 00101101 11100010 ... β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
TCP vs UDP Segment¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β TCP Segment Structure (20+ bytes) β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β 0 1 2 3 β
β 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Source Port | Destination Port β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Sequence Number β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Acknowledgment Number β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Data | |U|A|P|R|S|F| β
β | Offset| Reserved |R|C|S|S|Y|I| Window β
β | | |G|K|H|T|N|N| β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Checksum | Urgent Pointer β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Options (if any) β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Data β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β β
β Flags: SYN(connect), ACK(ack), FIN(terminate), β
β RST(force term), PSH(push), URG(urgent) β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β UDP Datagram Structure (8 bytes) β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β 0 1 2 3 β
β 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Source Port | Destination Port β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Length | Checksum β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β | Data β
β +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+β
β β
β Much simpler than TCP β Less overhead β Faster transmission β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
5. Encapsulation and Decapsulation¶
Encapsulation¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Encapsulation β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Process where headers (control information) of each layer β
β are added as data travels from upper to lower layers β
β β
β Sender Side (Data Transmission Process): β
β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Application Layer β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β DATA β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Presentation Layer β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β DATA (encrypted/compressed) β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Session Layer β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β DATA β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Transport Layer β β
β β ββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β TCP Hdr β DATA β β β
β β ββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β Segment β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Network Layer β β
β β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β βIP Hdr β TCP Hdr β DATA β β β
β β ββββββββββ΄βββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β Packet β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Data Link Layer β β
β β ββββββββ¬βββββββββ¬βββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββ¬βββββββ β
β β β Hdr βIP Hdr β TCP Hdr β DATA β FCS ββ β
β β ββββββββ΄βββββββββ΄βββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββ΄βββββββ β
β β β Frame β β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Physical Layer β β
β β 10110100 01101011 11010010 10101100 ... β β
β β Bits β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Decapsulation¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Decapsulation β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Process where headers of each layer are removed as data β
β travels from lower to upper layers at the receiver β
β β
β Receiver Side (Data Reception Process): β
β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Physical Layer β β
β β 10110100 01101011 11010010 10101100 ... β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Data Link Layer β β
β β ββββββββ¬βββββββββ¬βββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββ¬βββββββ β
β β β Hdr βIP Hdr β TCP Hdr β DATA β FCS ββ β
β β ββββββββ΄βββββββββ΄βββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββ΄βββββββ β
β β β β Verify FCS, remove header/trailer β β β
β β βΌ β β β
β β [Remove]β β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Network Layer β β
β β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β βIP Hdr β TCP Hdr β DATA β β β
β β ββββββββββ΄βββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β Verify IP header, remove β β
β β βΌ β β
β β [Remove] β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Transport Layer β β
β β ββββββββββββ¬βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β TCP Hdr β DATA β β β
β β ββββββββββββ΄βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β Verify TCP header, remove β β
β β βΌ β β
β β [Remove] β β
β β β β β
β β βΌ β β
β β Session/Presentation/Application Layer β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β DATA β β β
β β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β β
β β β β
β β Delivered to application β β
β β β β
β βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Complete Encapsulation/Decapsulation Process¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Complete Communication (Send β Receive) β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Sending Host Receiving Host β
β βββββββββββββββββββ βββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Application β β Application β β
β β [Generate DATA]β β [Use DATA] β β
β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ ββββββββββ²βββββββββ β
β β Encapsulation β Decapsulation β
β ββββββββββΌβββββββββ ββββββββββ΄βββββββββ β
β β Presentation β β Presentation β β
β β [Encrypt/ β β [Decrypt/ β β
β β Compress] β β Decompress] β β
β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ ββββββββββ²βββββββββ β
β β β β
β ββββββββββΌβββββββββ ββββββββββ΄βββββββββ β
β β Session β β Session β β
β β [Manage β β [Manage β β
β β Session] β β Session] β β
β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ ββββββββββ²βββββββββ β
β β β β
β ββββββββββΌβββββββββ ββββββββββ΄βββββββββ β
β β Transport β β Transport β β
β β [+TCP Header] β β [-TCP Header] β β
β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ ββββββββββ²βββββββββ β
β β Segment β β
β ββββββββββΌβββββββββ ββββββββββ΄βββββββββ β
β β Network β β Network β β
β β [+IP Header] β β [-IP Header] β β
β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ ββββββββββ²βββββββββ β
β β Packet β β
β ββββββββββΌβββββββββ ββββββββββ΄βββββββββ β
β β Data Link β β Data Link β β
β β [+Eth Hdr+FCS] β β [-Eth Hdr-FCS] β β
β ββββββββββ¬βββββββββ ββββββββββ²βββββββββ β
β β Frame β β
β ββββββββββΌβββββββββ ββββββββββ΄βββββββββ β
β β Physical β β Physical β β
β β [Transmit Bits]ββββββββββββββββΊβ [Receive Bits] β β
β βββββββββββββββββββ Network βββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
6. Key Devices by Layer¶
Device Mapping by Layer¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Network Devices by Layer β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Layer Device β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β β
β 7. Application ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Firewall (L7/Application), Proxy server, β β
β β Load balancer, ADC, IDS/IPS β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 6. Presentation ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Software (SSL/TLS library) β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 5. Session ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Software (session manager) β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 4. Transport ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Firewall (L4), Load balancer β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 3. Network ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Router, L3 Switch, Firewall (L3) β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 2. Data Link ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Switch (L2), Bridge, NIC, Wireless AP β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 1. Physical ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β Hub, Repeater, Cable, Connector, Modem β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Device Operating Layer Diagram¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Device Operating Layers β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Hub Switch Router Firewall(L7) β
β β
β 7. Application β β β ββββββββ β
β 6. Presentationβ β β ββββββββ β
β 5. Session β β β ββββββββ β
β 4. Transport β β β ββββββββ β
β 3. Network β β ββββββββ ββββββββ β
β 2. Data Link β ββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββββ β
β 1. Physical ββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββββ ββββββββ β
β β
β Hub: L1 only (signal amplification/replication) β
β Switch: L1-L2 (MAC-based forwarding) β
β Router: L1-L3 (IP-based routing) β
β Firewall(L7): L1-L7 (deep packet inspection) β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
7. Practical Application of OSI Model¶
Web Page Loading Process¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Web Page Loading (Accessing www.example.com) β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β User enters www.example.com in browser β
β β
β 7. Application Layer β
β βββ Generate HTTP request: GET / HTTP/1.1 β
β Host: www.example.com β
β β
β 6. Presentation Layer β
β βββ Apply TLS encryption if HTTPS β
β Data encoding (UTF-8) β
β β
β 5. Session Layer β
β βββ Manage TCP connection session β
β Handle cookies/session ID β
β β
β 4. Transport Layer β
β βββ Create TCP segment β
β Ports: Source(49152), Dest(443) β
β Assign sequence number β
β β
β 3. Network Layer β
β βββ Create IP packet β
β Resolve domain β IP via DNS β
β Source IP: 192.168.1.100 β
β Dest IP: 93.184.216.34 β
β β
β 2. Data Link Layer β
β βββ Create Ethernet frame β
β Add MAC address (verify via ARP) β
β Add CRC checksum β
β β
β 1. Physical Layer β
β βββ Convert to electrical signals and transmit via cable β
β (or transmit as wireless signal) β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Network Troubleshooting¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β OSI Model-based Troubleshooting β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Check sequentially from lower to upper layers β
β β
β 1. Physical Layer Check β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β - Check cable connection status β β
β β - Check LED indicators β β
β β - Check NIC status β β
β β - ping localhost (127.0.0.1) β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 2. Data Link Layer Check β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β - Check MAC address (ipconfig /all, ifconfig) β β
β β - Check ARP table (arp -a) β β
β β - Check switch MAC table β β
β β - Check duplex settings β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 3. Network Layer Check β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β - Check IP configuration (ipconfig, ifconfig) β β
β β - Ping default gateway β β
β β - Check routing table (netstat -r, route print) β β
β β - Trace route with traceroute β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 4. Transport Layer Check β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β - Check port status (netstat -an) β β
β β - Check firewall rules β β
β β - Test port connection with telnet β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
β 5-7. Upper Layer Check β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β - Check application logs β β
β β - Check DNS resolution (nslookup) β β
β β - Check service status β β
β β - Verify certificate validity (HTTPS) β β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Troubleshooting Command Summary¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Troubleshooting Commands β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β β
β Layer Command (Windows/Linux) Purpose β
β ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β β
β L1 - Check LED Physical connection stateβ
β - Cable tester β
β β
β L2 - arp -a Check ARP table β
β - ipconfig /all | ifconfig Check MAC address β
β β
β L3 - ping <IP> Connection test β
β - tracert | traceroute Path trace β
β - ipconfig | ifconfig Check IP configuration β
β - netstat -r | route Routing table β
β β
β L4 - netstat -an Port status β
β - telnet <IP> <port> Port connection test β
β β
β L5-7 - nslookup <domain> DNS check β
β - curl | wget HTTP test β
β - Application logs β
β β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
8. Practice Problems¶
Basic Problems¶
1. List the OSI 7 layers in order from bottom to top.
2. Match the following protocols to their corresponding layers: - (a) HTTP ( ) Transport Layer - (b) TCP ( ) Network Layer - (c) IP ( ) Data Link Layer - (d) Ethernet ( ) Application Layer
3. Choose the correct PDU matching: - Transport Layer: ( ) - Network Layer: ( ) - Data Link Layer: ( )
Options: Segment, Packet, Frame, Bit
4. Explain the order in which headers are added during encapsulation.
Applied Problems¶
5. Estimate the layer where the problem occurred in the following situations: - (a) Connected cable but LED doesn't light up - (b) Can ping other PCs on same network but no internet - (c) Can access web page but cannot log in
6. Explain the role of each OSI layer in HTTP and HTTPS communication.
7. Explain the differences between TCP and UDP from the OSI model perspective.
Advanced Problems¶
8. Indicate which OSI layers each device processes in the diagram below:
[PC] ---[Hub]---[Switch]---[Router]---[Firewall]---[Server]
9. Explain why encapsulation and decapsulation are necessary.
10. Explain the differences between the OSI model and TCP/IP model from a layer structure perspective.
Answers
**1.** Physical β Data Link β Network β Transport β Session β Presentation β Application **2.** - (a) HTTP - Application Layer - (b) TCP - Transport Layer - (c) IP - Network Layer - (d) Ethernet - Data Link Layer **3.** - Transport Layer: Segment - Network Layer: Packet - Data Link Layer: Frame **4.** Application data β Add TCP header (segment) β Add IP header (packet) β Add Ethernet header/trailer (frame) β Convert to bits **5.** - (a) Physical Layer (cable or NIC problem) - (b) Network Layer (routing/gateway problem) - (c) Application Layer or Session Layer (authentication/session problem) **6.** - Application: Generate/process HTTP requests/responses - Presentation: TLS encryption for HTTPS - Session: TCP connection management - Transport: TCP segmentation, port numbers - Network: IP packets, routing - Data Link: MAC addresses, frames - Physical: Bit transmission **7.** - TCP: Connection-oriented, reliability guaranteed, flow/error control, segment-based - UDP: Connectionless, unreliable, low overhead, datagram-based - Both operate at Transport Layer (L4) **8.** - Hub: L1 - Switch: L2 - Router: L3 - Firewall: L3-L7 (depends on type) **9.** - Maintain layer independence (changes in one layer don't affect others) - Provide standardized interfaces - Ensure interoperability - Modular approach facilitates development/maintenance **10.** - OSI: 7 layers, theoretical reference model, ISO standard - TCP/IP: 4 layers, practical implementation model, Internet standard - OSI's Session/Presentation layers integrated into Application layer in TCP/IPNext Steps¶
- 03_TCP_IP_Model.md - TCP/IP model and Internet protocols
References¶
- Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (Kurose & Ross)
- TCP/IP Illustrated (W. Richard Stevens)
- Cisco: OSI Model
- RFC 1122: Requirements for Internet Hosts