networking curriculum
support CD for senior
secondary studies

networking > osi model

Overview of OSI

OSI (Open System Interconnection) is a standard that defines a networking framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Control is passed from one layer to the next, from the highest level (e.g. a piece of software) to the lowest level (hardware devices).

While OSI seemed like a good idea at the time, and manufacturers agreed to support OSI, it was too loosely defined and manufacturers' own patented methods were too entrenched. Only OSI-compliant X.400 and X.500 (e-mail and directory standards) are widely used. Still, OSI serves well as a model for how communications can be organised.

The Seven OSI layers
Network Packets
Basic network problems
How packets are handled within a network
  - Ethernet, and CSMA/CD
  - Token Ring
  - ATM

Addressing

For any communication to succeed, the message must have an unambiguous destination. On a network, you will encounter various forms of addressing to ensure traffic gets where it should without confusion or error.

1. Network addresses
2. IP addressing
     - Subnet Masks
3. Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)
4. Email addresses
5. MAC addresses
6. Registering and hosting domains

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