TCP/IP Guide

Key OSI Reference Model Concepts

The OSI Reference Model is valuable as a tool for explaining how networks function, and for describing the relationships between different networking technologies and protocols. To accomplish this, the model relies on a number of important concepts and terms, which I'll discuss in the following sections.

I'll begin with a discussion of how the model uses layers. This is perhaps the single most important of all model concepts. I then talk about some of the notation and jargon you are likely to see in general discussions of the model. I define in more detail what interfaces and protocols are in the context of the model. I then explain the important concept of data encapsulation and the terminology used to refer to ...