Chapter 2. OSI Reference Model

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

  • OSI Layer Characteristics

  • Host Communication

  • Data Encapsulation

Chapter 1, “Internetworking Basics,” outlined the basic concepts of internetworking. This chapter introduces you to the fundamental concepts of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model. If you are familiar with OSI, this chapter should serve as a refresher; if you are not familiar with it, this information should provide a good introduction.

OSI Layer Characteristics

The OSI Reference Model describes how information from a user or client application in one host, or computer, moves through an internetwork to an application on another host. The OSI Reference Model, illustrated in Figure 2-1, is a ...

Get Network Sales and Services Handbook now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.