Parity analysis of OSI reference model & TCP/IP model

Anam Anjum Khan1, Priya Chandani2, Shriya Sharma3 , Asst.Prof. Supragya Verma4
B.E.,Department of CSE, Sardar Patel College of Technology, Balaghat1
B.E.,Department of CSE, Sardar Patel College of Technology, Balaghat2
B.E.,Department of CSE, Sardar Patel College of Technology, Balaghat3
Assistant Professor ,Department of CSE, Sardar Patel University, Balaghat4

Abstract: Computer networking refer to an interconnected collection of autonomous

computers. When two computers are able to exchange information, then they are said to be
interconnected. A network architecture outlines the way in which a data communication
network is arranged or structured and generally includes the concept of levels or layers of
functional responsibilities within the architecture. The two such architecture are explained in
this paper which explain the comparison between the OSI reference model and TCP/IP model
which comprises of seven layers & five layers respectively, each layer has its own
responsibilities. The TCP/IP model is a solid foundation for all of the communication tasks on
the Internet.

Keywords: Networking, ISO – OSI, TCP/IP, Protocol, Troubleshooting, ARPANET.

Introduction :
A computer network is a set of computer connected together for the purpose of sharing
resources. The most common resource shared today is, connection to the internet. In computer
networks, computing devices exchange data with each other using connections (data links )
between nodes. These data links are established over cable media such as wires or optic cables,
or wireless media such as Wi-Fi. The Layering is a widely accepted structure in technique and
designing a communication system. To reduce their design complexities, networks are organized
as a series of layers, each one built on the layers below it. The communication between machines
is done by protocol i.e. a set of rules governing the exchange of data. Layering helps in proper
division of works to achieve the overall objective of proper communication. The two models are
:
1) OSI model
2) TCP/IP model

OSI Model: we require a framework called as “Model for open system interconnection (OSI)”
and normally referred as “OSI Reference model”. The ISO in 1983, developed this model as a
first step toward international standardization of protocol used in various layer. The most
common resource shared today is, connection to the internet. In computer networks, computing
devices exchange data with each other using connections (data links) between nodes. These data
links are established over cable media such as wires or optic cables, or wireless media such as
Wi-Fi. The Layering is a widely accepted structure in designing a communication system. To
reduce their design complexities, networks are organized as a series of layers, each one built on
the layers below it. The communication between machines is done by protocol i.e. a set of rules
governing the exchange of data. Layering helps in proper division of works to achieve the overall
objective of proper communication. The open system interconnection (OSI) model is a
conceptual model that characterizes and standardizes the communication function of a
telecommunication or computing system without regard to its underlying internal structure and
technology. Its goal is the interoperability of diverse communication systems with standard
communication protocols. This is a seven layer reference architecture .The model comprises of
following layers:

1) Application layer
2) Presentation layer
3) Session layer
4) Transport layer
5) Network layer
6) Data link layer
7) Physical layer

fig.1 : Open System Interconnection reference model.

TCP/IP model: The ARPANET was a resource network sponsored by the DOD (Department of
Defence) .It eventually connected 100s of universities and government installation using leased
telephone lines. When satellite and radio network were added later, the existing protocols had
provide interworking with them, so a new reference architecture were needed .Thus, the ability
of converting multiple network together in a seamless way on of the major design goals from the
very beginning .This architecture later became known as the TCP/IP model after its two primary
protocols. The TCP/IP protocol suite was developed prior to the OSI model. Therefore, the
layers in the TCP/IP protocol suite do not exactly match those in the OSI model. The original
TCP/IP protocol suite was defined on having four host to host network, internet, transport and
application layers. Besides the OSI model another model which is in the practical use is the
TCP/IP model which is five layer model. Internet services generally support TCP/IP protocols.
The various layers are mentioned below :

1) Application layer
2) Transport layer
3) Internet layer
4) Network access layer
5) Physical layer

Fig 2.:Block daigram of TCP/IP model

OSI Reference Model:

The open system interconnection model (OSI model) is a conceptual model that characterizes
and standardizes the communication functions of a telecommunication or computing system
without regard to its underlying internal structure and technology. Its goal is the interoperability
of diverse communication protocols. The model partitions a communication system into
abstraction layers. The original version of the model had seven layers. The seven layers of OSI
(open system interconnection) is briefly describe below.
1) Application layer:
The application layer is the OSI application layer and the user interacts directly with the
software application. This layer interact with software application , that Implement a
communicating component the application layer certain a variety of protocol that are
commonly needed by the users, this layer support application and end user processers.
 An application layer is abstraction layer is that specifies the shared
communication protocol and interface method used by hosts in a communication
hardware. The layer abstraction is used in both of the standard models of computer
networking. If a web browser wants to download an image, an email, client wants to
upload a movie the protocols in the application layer will organize and execute these
request.
2) Presentation .layer:
The presentation layer is the layer and serves as a data translator for the network. It is
sometimes called the syntax layer the presentation layer is responsible for the formatting
and delivery of information to the application layer for further processing or display. The
presentation layer is the lowest layer at which application programmer consider data
structure and presentation, instead of simply sending data in form of datagram and
packets between hosts. Encryption is typically done at this level too; decryption is also
handled at the presentation layer. Within the services layering semantics of the OSI
network architecture, the presentation layer responds to services request from the
application layer and issues services request to the session layer. The function of
presentation layer are translation, encryption, decryption, compression.
3) Session layer:
In open system interconnection (OSI) model, the session layer ,which control the
connection between multiple computers. The session layer tracks the dialogs between
computers which are also called session .This layer establishes, controls and end the
sessions between local and remote application .The session layer manages a session by
initiating the opening and closing of session between end user application and directly
communicates with both. The session layer allows users on different machines to
establish active communication session between them.

4) Transport layer:
Transport provides end-to-end connection and reliability .These layer decides whether
transmission should be parallel or single path. It does functions like multiplexing,
splitting or segmenting the data. This layer breaks the data into smaller units so that it can
be easily handled by network layer. The transport layer is also responsible for the
management of error correction, providing quality and reliability to the end user. This
enable the host to send and receive error corrected data, packets or message over a
network and is the network component that allows multiplexing. The function of the
transport layer are-segmentation and reassembly. This layer accepts the message from the
session layer, breaks the message into smaller units. Each of the segment produced has a
header associated with it. Services point addressing, In order to deliver the message to
correct process, transport layer header includes a type of address called service point
address or port address. Transport layer makes sure that are message is delivered to the
correct process.
5) Network layer:
The function of this layer is to deliver packets from source to destination across multiple
network links. It also take care of packet routing i.e. selection of the shortest path to
transmit the packet from the number of routers available .The sender and the receiver IP
address are placed in the header by network layer .The function of the network layer are
routing, logical addressing .Every network device has a physical address called MAC
address .The network layer protocols translates logical addresses to MAC addresses.

6) Data link layer :

It is responsible for the node to node delivering of a message.

DATA LINK LAYER

Logical link control Media access control

It makes sure the appropriate physical protocol is assigned to the data .The three main
functions of data link layer are to deal with transmission errors a well defined interface to
the network layer. The functions of data link layer are-framing, provides a way for a
sender to transmit a set of bits that are meaningful to the receiver. Physical addressing of
sender/receiver is the header of each frame. Error control provides the mechanism of
error control in which it detects and retransmits damaged or last frames. Flow control
coordinates that amount of data that can be send before receiveing acknowledgement.
Access control provide a single communication channel is shared by multiple devices
,MAC sub layer of data link layer helped to determine which devices has control over the
channel at a given time.
7) Physical layer:
It is the lowest layer of OSI model it is responsible for the actual physical connection
between the devices .The physical layer contains information in the form of bits, some
important functions of physical layer are –Bit synchronization provides the
synchronization of the bits by providing a clock. The clock controls both sender and
receiver thus providing synchronization at bit level. Physical topologies, the way in
which the different devices/nodes are arranged in a network. Transmission mode is a
function of physical layer. Physical circuits are created on the physical layer of Open
System Interconnection ( OSI ) Model. This layer is limited to the processes needed to
place the communication signal over the media and to receive signal coming from that
media.
TCP/IP Model : Transmission control protocol / Internet Protocol is the language a computer
uses to access the Internet. It consists of a suite of protocols designed to establish a network of
networks to provide a host with access to the internet. TCP/IP can also be used as a
communication protocol in a private network (an intranet or an extranet). TCP/IP is the network
model used in the current internet architecture as well. Protocols are set of rules which govern
every possible communication over a network. These protocols describe the movement of data
between the source and destination or the internet. They also offer simple naming and addressing
schemes.
Features of TCP/IP –
1) Support for a flexible architecture. Adding more machines to a network was easy.
2) The network was robust, and connections remained intact until the source and destination
machines were functioning.

The functions of various layers are discussed below –

Physical layer : physical layer covers the physical interface between data transmission device
(workstation , computer)and a transmission medium or network. This layer is concerned with
specifying the characteristics of the transmission medium, the nature of the signals, the data rate,
and related matters. This layer is responsible for various encoding signaling functions that
transform the data from bits that reside within a computer / other device into signals that can be
sent over the network. This also transmit and receive data in both wired and wireless network.
this is primarily executed in hardware by a network interface controller (NIC).
Network Access layer : The network access layer is concerned with the exchange of data
between an end system and the network to which it is attached. The sending computer must
provide the network to which it is attached. The sending computer must provide the network
with the address of the destination computer, so that the network may route the data to the
appropriate destination. Protocols are used to connect to the host so that the packets can be send
over it . this layer varies from host to host and network to network.
Internet layer : The selection of a packet switching network which is based on a connection less
internetwork layer is called a internet layer. It is the layer which holds the where architecture
together. It helps the packet to travel independently to the destination. The order in which
packets are received is different from the way they are sent. This layers uses the internet
protocol. The varies function performed by the internet layer are :
(i) Delivering IP packets.
(ii) Performing routing.
(iii) Avoiding congestion.

Transport layer: It decides if data transmission should be on parallel path or single path. The
such as multiplexing, segmenting or splitting on the data is done by transport layer. This layer
adds header information to the data. This layer breaks the message (data) into small units so that
they are handled more efficiently by the network layer. This layer also arranges the packets to be
sent in sequence.
Application layer : It performs the function of top three layers of OSI model: Application,
Presentation and Session layer. It is responsible for mode to mode communication and controls
user user interface specifications.
Parity Analysis of Open System Interconnection reference model and Transmission Control
Protocol / Internet Protocol model :

1.Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol model is a client server model , that is when
the client requests for service. It is provided by server . whereas, Open System Interconnection
reference model is a conceptual model.
2.Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol model is a standard protocol used for every
network including the internet, whereas, Open System Interconnection reference model is not a
protocol but a reference model used for understanding and designing the system architecture.
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol model is a four layered model, whereas , Open
System Interconnection reference model has seven layers.
3.Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol model follows vertical approach . On the
other hand , Open System Interconnection reference model supports horizontal approach .
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol model is Tangible, whereas, Open System
Interconnection reference model is not.
4.Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol model follows top to bottom approach,
whereas , Open System Interconnection reference model model follows a bottom up approach.

Transmission Control Open System Interconnection Description

Protocol/Internet protocol

Application Layer Provides end-user applications.

Layer 5 Presentation Layer Provides Data Transmission
Application/Process Layer. formats and codes.
Session Layer Supports telecommunications
sessions.
Layer 4 Transport Layer Supports organization and data
Transport Layer. transfer between nodes on a
network.
Layer 3 Network Layer Provides routing and connection
Internet Protocol (IP). between network nodes.
Layer 2 Data Link Layer Supports accurate transmission
Network Interface of data within the network.
Layer 1 Physical Layer Provides physical transmission of
Physical Layer data using telecommunications
media on the network.

Conclusion: This paper is about the parity analysis of open system interconnection (OSI)
reference model and Transmission control protocol and internet protocol (TCP/IP) model. This
paper provides an overview of the open system interconnection (OSI) reference model which
defines a hierarchical architecture that logically partitions the function required to support system
-to- system communication, whereas Transmission control protocol and internet protocol
(TCP/IP) was developed by Department of Defence’s Project Research Agency (ARPA, later
DARPA)as a part of the research project of network interconnection to connect remote machines.
The comparison that came out between the two most widely used networking models for
communication that are TCP/IP and OSI model is that , that OSI is a conceptual model which is
not practically used for communication whereas the TCP/IP model is used for establishing a
connection and communicating through the network .
Concerning the above paper, we can conclude that the TCP/IP model is reliable over OSI model,
TCP/IP is used for end-to-end connection so as to transmit the data over the internet. TCP/IP is
robust, flexible, tangible and suggests how data should be sent over the web. TCP/IP model
checks whether the data has arrived in order, it has an error or not, lost packets are sent or not,
acknowledgement is received or not, etc.. In contrast , The OSI model is just a conceptual
framework to interpret how applications communicate over the network.

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