Communication Standards in Computer Networks: OSI Reference Model
Computer networks are the cornerstone of communication and data exchange in today's digital world. To understand and standardise the complexity of these networks, the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model is considered a milestone in the field of computer networking. Developed by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) in the late 1970s, this model organises and standardises network communication by dividing it into seven different layers.
Basic Functions of the Model
The OSI model allows us to understand the functioning of computer networks and offers the possibility to analyse these networks by breaking them down. Among its main functions are the following:
Layers and Descriptions of the Model
The OSI reference model divides network communication into seven layers. Each layer fulfils a specific function and enables data transmission by communicating with the layers above and below it. These layers make network communication easier to understand and standardise. The layers are as follows:
Each layer performs a specific function and communicates with the layers above and below it, enabling data transmission. This modular structure facilitates the development, testing and maintenance of network protocols. The OSI reference model provides a basic conceptual framework for understanding and managing the complexity of computer networks.