The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model is a standardised model which we use to

demonstrate the theory behind computer networking. In practice, it's actually the more
compact TCP/IP model that real-world networking is based off; however the OSI model, in
many ways, is easier to get an initial understanding from.

The OSI model consists of seven layers:

There are many mnemonics floating around to help you learn the layers of the OSI model --
search around until you find one that you like.

I personally favour: Anxious Pale Shakespeare Treated Nervous Drunks Patiently

Let's briefly take a look at each of these in turn:

Layer 7 -- Application:

The application layer of the OSI model essentially provides networking options to programs
running on a computer. It works almost exclusively with applications, providing an interface
for them to use in order to transmit data. When data is given to the application layer, it is
passed down into the presentation layer.

Layer 6 -- Presentation:

The presentation layer receives data from the application layer. This data tends to be in a
format that the application understands, but it's not necessarily in a standardised format that
could be understood by the application layer in the receiving computer. The presentation
layer translates the data into a standardised format, as well as handling any encryption,
compression or other transformations to the data. With this complete, the data is passed down
to the session layer.

Layer 5 -- Session:

When the session layer receives the correctly formatted data from the presentation layer, it
looks to see if it can set up a connection with the other computer across the network. If it
can't then it sends back an error and the process goes no further. If a session can be
established then it's the job of the session layer to maintain it, as well as co-operate with the
session layer of the remote computer in order to synchronise communications. The session
layer is particularly important as the session that it creates is unique to the communication in
question. This is what allows you to make multiple requests to different endpoints
simultaneously without all the data getting mixed up (think about opening two tabs in a web
browser at the same time)! When the session layer has successfully logged a connection
between the host and remote computer the data is passed down to Layer 4: the transport
Layer.

Layer 4 -- Transport:

The transport layer is a very interesting layer that serves numerous important functions. Its
first purpose is to choose the protocol over which the data is to be transmitted. The two most
common protocols in the transport layer are TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP
(User Datagram Protocol); with TCP the transmission is connection-based which means that
a connection between the computers is established and maintained for the duration of the
request. This allows for a reliable transmission, as the connection can be used to ensure that
the packets all get to the right place. A TCP connection allows the two computers to remain
in constant communication to ensure that the data is sent at an acceptable speed, and that any
lost data is re-sent. With UDP, the opposite is true; packets of data are essentially thrown at
the receiving computer -- if it can't keep up then that's its problem (this is why a video
transmission over something like Skype can be pixelated if the connection is bad). What this
means is that TCP would usually be chosen for situations where accuracy is favoured over
speed (e.g. file transfer, or loading a webpage), and UDP would be used in situations where
speed is more important (e.g. video streaming).

With a protocol selected, the transport layer then divides the transmission up into bite-sized
pieces (over TCP these are called segments, over UDP they're called datagrams), which
makes it easier to transmit the message successfully.

Layer 3 -- Network:

The network layer is responsible for locating the destination of your request. For example, the
Internet is a huge network; when you want to request information from a webpage, it's the
network layer that takes the IP address for the page and figures out the best route to take. At
this stage we're working with what is referred to as Logical addressing (i.e. IP addresses)
which are still software controlled. Logical addresses are used to provide order to networks,
categorising them and allowing us to properly sort them. Currently the most common form of
logical addressing is the IPV4 format, which you'll likely already be familiar with (i.e
192.168.1.1 is a common address for a home router).

Layer 2 -- Data Link:

The data link layer focuses on the physical addressing of the transmission. It receives a
packet from the network layer (that includes the IP address for the remote computer) and
adds in the physical (MAC) address of the receiving endpoint. Inside every network enabled
computer is a Network Interface Card (NIC) which comes with a unique MAC
(Media Access Control) address to identify it.
MAC addresses are set by the manufacturer and literally burnt into the card; they can't be
changed -- although they can be spoofed. When information is sent across a network, it's
actually the physical address that is used to identify where exactly to send the information.

Additionally, it's also the job of the data link layer to present the data in a format suitable for
transmission.

The data link layer also serves an important function when it receives data, as it checks the
received information to make sure that it hasn't been corrupted during transmission, which
could well happen when the data is transmitted by layer 1: the physical layer.

Layer 1 -- Physical:

The physical layer is right down to the hardware of the computer. This is where the electrical
pulses that make up data transfer over a network are sent and received. It's the job of the
physical layer to convert the binary data of the transmission into signals and transmit them
across the network, as well as receiving incoming signals and converting them back into
binary data.

For the "Which Layer" Questions below, answer using the layer number (1-7)

Answer the questions below

Which layer would choose to send data over TCP or UDP?
Submit
Which layer checks received information to make sure that it hasn't been corrupted?
Submit
In which layer would data be formatted in preparation for transmission?
Submit
Which layer transmits and receives data?
Submit
Which layer encrypts, compresses, or otherwise transforms the initial data to give it a
standardised format?
Submit
Which layer tracks communications between the host and receiving computers?
Submit
Which layer accepts communication requests from applications?
Submit
Which layer handles logical addressing?
Submit
When sending data over TCP, what would you call the "bite-sized" pieces of data?
Submit
[Research] Which layer would the FTP protocol communicate with?
Submit
Hint
Which transport layer protocol would be best suited to transmit a live video?