PROTOCOLS & REFERENCE MODELS

Protocols

Cooperative action is necessary

Computer

Networking is not only to exchange bytes Huge system with several utilities & functions

For proper communication, entities is different systems must speak the same language These conventions and associated rules are referred as PROTOCOLS

Need For Protocol Architecture

data exchange can involve complex procedures, cf. file transfer example better if task broken into subtasks implemented separately in layers in stack
each

layer provides functions needed to perform comms for layers above using functions provided by layers below

peer layers communicate with a protocol

Key Elements of a Protocol

syntax - data format semantics - control info & error handling timing - speed matching & sequencing

Figure

Tasks involved in sending a letter (Breaking Task in layers)

Standard Protocol Architectures

Two Approaches (Standard)

OSI

reference model

Never

used widely But well known

TCP/IP
Most

Protocol suite

widely used

The OSI Model

Established in 1947, the International Standards Organization (ISO) is a multinational body dedicated to worldwide agreement on international standards. An ISO standard that covers all aspects of network communications is the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. It was first introduced in the late 1970s.

Reference model
Provides general frame work for standardization Defines a set of layers and services provided by each layer One or more protocols can be developed for each layer

Delivered too late (Published in 1984)!

By that time TCP/IP started to become de facto standard Although no OSI based protocol survived but the model is still valid

Seven layers of OSI Model

Interaction between layers in OSI Model

Exchange of Data using OSI Model

Physical Layer

Physical Interface between devices Characteristics

Mechanical Interface specs Electrical Voltage levels for bits, transmission rate

Data Link Layer

Error Detection & Control Higher layers may assume error free transmission Link to link (Point to point) Later a sub-layer is added to data link layer

MAC Sub-layer To deal with broadcast networks

Hop-to-hop delivery

Network Layer

Transfer of information through communication Network Higher layers do not need to know underlying technology Not needed on direct links QoS & congestion control are also addressed in this layer Several other internetworking issues
E.g.

Differences in addressing, max data length etc

Source-to-destination delivery

Transport layer

Exchange of data end to end If needed, upper layer data are split into smaller units

Reliable Process to process delivery of a message

Session Layer

Control of dialogues
Whose turn to talk? Dialogue disciple (half/full duplex) Check pointing & recovery

Presentation Layer

Data formats & Coding Data Compression Encryption

Application Layer

Support for various protocols

Summary of layers