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Networking Beginner

What is OSI Model?

The seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection model that standardizes network communication functions from physical transmission to application protocols.

The OSI model divides networking into seven abstraction layers: Layer 1 Physical (cables, signals), Layer 2 Data Link (Ethernet frames, MAC addresses), Layer 3 Network (IP packets, routing), Layer 4 Transport (TCP/UDP segments, ports), Layer 5 Session (connection management), Layer 6 Presentation (encryption, compression), and Layer 7 Application (HTTP, DNS, SMTP). Each layer serves the layer above it and is served by the layer below. While the internet primarily follows the simpler TCP/IP model (4 layers), the OSI model remains the standard framework for discussing and troubleshooting network issues by layer.

Related Terms

Traceroute
A network diagnostic tool that shows the path packets take from source to destination, listing each hop along the way.
MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit)
The maximum size of a data packet that can be transmitted over a network without fragmentation.
Overlay Network
A virtual network built on top of an existing physical network, enabling features like container networking and VPNs.
Network Topology
The physical or logical arrangement of nodes and connections in a computer network, such as star, mesh, ring, or bus configurations.
Network Bridge
A device or software that connects two or more network segments at the data link layer, forwarding traffic based on MAC addresses.
HTTP/HTTPS
The protocol used for transferring web pages and data between browsers and servers, with HTTPS adding encryption.
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