(714) 671-9000
  • Products
    • Industrial Ethernet
      Unmanaged Switches
      10/100Mbps
      10/100Mbps PoE
      Gigabit
      Gigabit PoE
      10 Gigabit
      10 Gigabit PoE
      Managed Switches
      10/100Mbps
      10/100Mbps PoE
      Gigabit
      Gigabit PoE
      10 Gigabit
      10 Gigabit PoE
      Rack Mount Switches
      Dynamic Product Filter
    • Media Converters
      Unmanaged
      10/100TX to 100FX
      10/100/1000TX to 1000FX
      10G
      Multi-mode to Single-mode
      Managed
      Standalone
      Ethernet Extenders
      Industrial
      PoE
      Rackmount Chassis
    • Serial Communication
      Serial to Ethernet
      RS232
      RS422/485
      RS232/422/485
      Serial to Wireless
      Serial Media Converters
      RS232 To RS422/485
      Serial Repeaters
      RS232 to CAT5
      Serial to Fiber
      Fieldbus Gateway
      Modbus Gateway
      Multiport Serial Cards
      PCIe RS232
      PCIe RS422/485
      uPCI RS232
      uPCI RS422/485
      uPCI RS232/422/485
      Industrial USB
      USB to Serial
      USB to Ethernet
      USB Hub
      USB Expansion Cards
    • Sena
      Bluetooth
      Accessories
    • Wireless
      AP/Bridges/Repeaters
      Din Rail Mounted
      IP67 Rated
      Wireless Routers
      Industrial IoT Gateways
    • SFP Modules
      100Mbps
      Gigabit
      10G SFP
      10G XFP
    • Accessories
      Industrial Ethernet
      Cables
      Adapters
      Mounting
      Wireless
      Mounting
      Antennas
      Cables
      PoE Injectors
      SFPs
      Cables
      Media Converters
      Cables
      Adapters
      Mounting
      Chassis Power Supplies
      Serial Communication
      Cables
      Adapters
      Antenna
      Power Supplies
      DIN-Rail Mounted
    • Power Supplies
      Industrial Din-Rail
      Power Adapters
    • PoE
      Unmanaged Switches
      10/100Mbps
      Gigabit
      10 Gigabit
      Managed Switches
      10/100Mbps
      Gigabit
      10 Gigabit
      Media Converters
      10/100Mbps
      Gigabit
    • Specialty Solutions
      60 Watt PoE++
      90 Watt PoE++
      M12 Switches
      Compact Devices
      Industrial Ethernet Switches
      Industrial Media Converters
      Conformal Coating
      Class 1 Div 2
      IEC 61850-3
    • Low Voltage PoE
      Managed
      10/100 Mbps
      Gigabit
      10 Gigabit
      Unmanaged
      10/100 Mbps
      Gigabit
      10 Gigabit
    • Software Solutions
      Connect VPN
  • Support
    • Request Customer Service
    • Request Technical Support
    • Request RMA
    • Request Product Info
    • Request Volume Pricing
    • 30 Day Evaluation Program
    • NMS Request Form
    • Product Notices
    • Warranty Policy
  • Resources
    • Product Selector
    • Product Filter
    • Literature
    • Industries
    • Media
    • Technical Writing
    • Press Releases
    • E-Newsletter
  • Where To Buy
  • About
    • About Antaira
    • Patented Tech
    • Events
    • Contact Us
  • Login
  • 0
    • Europe

    • Asia

    • Poland

    • Russia


The OSI Model Layers Explained

OSI stands for open systems interconnection. It is a conceptual framework that describes the different functions of a networking or telecommunication system and outlines how applications communicate throughout a network. An OSI model consists of seven different layers which are typically described from the top to bottom. In order from seven to one, the layers are as follows: application, presentation, session, transport, network, data link, and physical.



Such layers provide a visual representation of what happens within a networking system. Having a good understanding of the OSI model can help narrow down the source of networking issues, develop applications, and better understand which networking products work with which layers. To improve your understanding of the OSI model, consult this guide on the OSI model layers explained.



Layer 7: The Application Layer

The top layer of an OSI model (layer seven) is the application layer that delivers network services or protocols that comply with an end-user’s data to the end-user. The majority of end-users interact directly with applications that work at Layer 7. As such, it is the most widely recognized OSI layer by end-users.



Examples of Layer 7 applications include web browsers such as Google Chrome or Firefox, as well as apps such as Office, Outlook, and Skype. The services provided by each of these applications permit the application layer to supply and receive data from the Presentation layer.



Layer 6: The Presentation Layer

Also referred to as the Syntax Layer, The Presentation Layer is responsible for performing syntax processing. In this case, syntax processing typically involves converting data from the top layer (which is in application format) into network format based on the syntax that the application accepts. The Presentation Layer may also transmit data from network format to application format. Depending on whether the data is being transmitted or received, the processed data is then either passed to, or rather, “presented” to the session layer or application layer.



Layer 5: The Session Layer

The Session Layer is responsible for creating a session or connection that allows two devices, computers, or servers to communicate with one another. Once the session has been formed, the data is then passed either to or from the Transport Layer.



In addition to setting up a session, the resulting connection between the machines is also managed and terminated once the session ends at Layer 5. The Session Layer is also responsible for authentication and reconnection in the case that a network interruption occurs.



Layer 4: The Transport Layer

The Transport Layer is responsible for coordinating data transfer across network connections. It helps regulate various elements involved in data transmission between end systems and hosts. Such factors include the data packet’s size, sequencing, speed, and destination.



Once the Transport Layer has effectively managed and error-checked the data packets, the data is passed either to or from the Network Layer. Some of the most well-known examples of the Transport Layer include the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP).



Layer 3: The Network Layer

The primary role of the Network Layer is to handle packet forwarding which includes the routing of data. When connecting to a server, there are millions of different paths a device can take. Routers at the Networking Layer help direct data to its ultimate destination between several different networks.



To do so, the Network Layer receives frames from the data link layer and examines them to determine if the data has arrived at its intended target. Then, the Network Layer delivers the data frames to their ultimate destinations. To determine the destination of a data link, the Network Layer locates the logical address such as an internet protocol (IP) address which is contained inside of the data link. The majority of the router functionality that networking professionals enjoy is found at Layer 3.



Antaira Technologies carries several Layer 3 networking devices such as our 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch which is equipped with pre-loaded standard Light Layer 3 network management software. Examples of our other Layer 3 devices include our 10, 12, 16, and18-Port Industrial Gigabit PoE+ Light Layer 3 Managed Ethernet Switches.



Layer 2: The Data Link Layer

Once data has passed through the Network Layer, it then arrives at the Data Link Layer. Often considered the most complex OSI model layer, the Data Link Layer is responsible for setting up links across a physical network. To do so, node-to-node data transfer is performed by nodes that are directly connected in the Data Link layer. As a result, data is packaged into frames. In addition to setting up links, the Data Link Layer also helps check for and corrects any errors that occurred at the Physical Layer before packaging the data into frames.



The Data Link Layer is composed of two sublayers known as Media Access Control (MAC) and Logical Link Control (LLC). Once the data has been packaged into frames, the Data Link Layer will direct the physical addressing methods used for these two sublayers. The MAC sublayer helps control the flow of data packets to and from one Network Interface Card to another across a shared channel in a network. The LLC layer is the upper sublayer of the Data Link Layer which serves as an interface between the network layer and the MAC sublayer.



Antaira Technologies also carries many networking switches that operate at Layer 2. Examples of our networking switches that are equipped with Layer 2 network management include our 10/100TX PoE Managed switches, Gigabit PoE managed switches, and Gigabit Low Voltage PoE managed switches. As an influx of various measurement devices is incorporated into process sections, our Layer 2 switches can help ensure successful data routing within your network.



Layer 1: The Physical Layer

The Physical layer is the lowest OSI model layer which is the physical and electrical representation of the system. It is comprised of various network components such as power plugs, wireless radio frequencies, connectors, receivers, cable types, adapters, the layout of pins, and electric voltages.



The main role of the physical layer is to electrically or optically transmit unstructured data bits from the physical layer’s source or sending device to the physical layer of the receiving device across the network. When there is an issue in a network, most troubleshooting will begin at its physical layer.



Antaira Technologies is a leading provider of industrial networking equipment such as managed and unmanaged Ethernet switches, industrial routers, media converters, and serial communication devices. To learn more about our innovative products, contact us today.





      • Europe

      • Asia

      • Poland

      • Russia

ANTAIRA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.    |    780 CHALLENGER ST. BREA, CA 92821    |    TELEPHONE: +1-714-671-9000 (USA)    |    E-MAIL: INFO@ANTAIRA.COM
SITEMAP
© 2022 PRIVACY POLICY
ANTAIRA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
CHALLENGER ST. BREA, CA 92821
TELEPHONE: +1-714-671-9000 (USA)
E-MAIL: INFO@ANTAIRA.COM
SITEMAP
© 2022 PRIVACY POLICY