OSI Layers (Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model) – has 7 Layers - that describes how the

networking is going on.

Physical Layer - Repeater, hub, cables, ethernet work on this layer. Responsible for electrical signals,
light signal, radio signals etc.

Data Link Layer - Node-to-node data transfer (between two directly connected nodes), Encoding and
decoding of the electrical signals into bits, manages data errors from the physical layer, Convers
electrical signals into frames, MAC address is a part of the layer 2, Devices like Switch work at this
layer.

Network Layer - This layer is responsible for packet forwarding, including routing through different
routers, Switching and routing technologies, Creates logical paths between two hosts across the
world wide web called as virtual circuits, Routes the data packet to destination, Routing and
forwarding of the data packets, Internetworking, error handling, congestion control, Router works at
layer three, Different network protocols like TCP/ IP, IPX, AppleTalk work at this layer.

Transport layer - How much data to send, at what rate, where it goes, etc. Transparent transfer of
data between end systems, Responsible for complete data transfer, Protocols like SPX, TCP, UDP
work here. E.g., The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which is built on top of the Internet
Protocol (IP), commonly known as TCP/IP. TCP and UDP port numbers work at Layer 4, while IP
addresses work at Layer 3, the Network Layer. Ip Address & Port Numbers work on this layer. Which
Layer 4 ports are open? So ports come in this layer.
Session layer - When two devices, computers or servers need to “speak” with one another, a session
needs to be created, Establishing, managing and termination of connections between applications of
two separate devices, RPC, protocols like NFS, NetBios names, SQL work at this layer.

Presentation layer - It represents the preparation or translation of application format to network

format, or from network formatting to application format, Data representation on your screen,
Encryption and decryption of the data, Data semantics and syntax, Examples include encryption,
ASCII, EBCDIC, TIFF, GIF, PICT, JPEG, MPEG, MIDI.

Application Layer - Supports application to which users interact directly, apps, and end-user
processes, Quality of service, responsible for application services for file transfers, e-mail, and other
network software services, Protocols like Telnet, FTP, HTTP work on this layer, e.g., Chrome, Firefox,
IE, Skype, Outlook etc.

To learn the OSI model:

From Application to Physical (top down):

All People Seem To Need Data Processing

All Pros Search Top Notch Donut Places

A Penguin Said That Nobody Drinks Pepsi

A Priest Saw Two Nuns Doing Pushups

From Physical to Application (bottom up):

Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away

Pew! Dead Ninja Turtles Smell Particularly Awful

People Don’t Need To See Paula Abdul

Pete Doesn’t Need To Sell Pickles Anymore