The layers of OSI model are as follows:
(1) The Physical Layer: This defines an interface in terms of the connections, voltage levels and data rate, in order for signals to be transmitted bit by bit.
(2) The link Layer: This provides error detection and correction for a link to ensure that the exchange of data is reliable. It may require the data stream to be divided into blocks, called packets, for inserting error-checking bits or for synchronization. However, transparency is preserved for the data bits in these blocks.
(3) The network layer: This is concerned with the operation of the network between the terminals. It is responsible for establishing the corrections between the appropriate network nodes.
(4) The transport layer: This is responsible for establishing a network independent communication path suitable for the particular terminal equipments (e.g. providing the appropriate data rate and end-to-end error control). It thus relieves the user from being concerned with such details.
(5) The session layer: This is concerned with setting up and maintaining an operational session between terminals. For example, ‘signing on’ at the commencement of a task and ‘signing off ’ at its end.
(6) The presentation layer: This is concerned with the format of the data presented, in order to overcome difference in representation of the information as supplied to one terminal and required at the other. Its purpose is to make communication over the network machine-independent.
(7) The application layer: This defines the nature of the task to be performed. It supplies the user with the applications programs needed. Examples include electronic mail, word processing, banking transactions, etc.