Networking Fundamentals Report: OSI Model, Protocols, and Comparison

This report provides a comprehensive overview of networking fundamentals. It begins with an introduction to networking, interoperability, and the OSI model, explaining the functionality of each layer. The report then delves into the protocols used within each OSI layer, including HTTP, TCP, IP, and Ethernet. A comparison between the OSI and TCP/IP models is presented, highlighting their differences. Furthermore, the report analyzes and compares different media types, specifically wired and wireless networks, in terms of speed, bandwidth, and cost. The report also discusses the application of networking concepts within a school environment. It concludes with a summary emphasizing the importance of networking for effective communication and resource sharing, recommending the use of wired networks for optimal performance. The report includes references to relevant books, journals, and online resources.

Networking
Fundamentals

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Interoperability............................................................................................................................1
OSI Model along with their functionality...................................................................................1
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Networking refers to entire process of creation as well as usage of computer networks in
context of software, hardware and software along with technology (wired or wireless) being used
(Buamod, Abdelmoghith and Mouftah, 2015). Basically, this denotes practice of transport as
well as exchange of data among nodes within shared medium.
At present scenario, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering has carried out
partial renovation at University. As per this, there is need for new LAN architectures on each
floor so that they can be connected with one other. This report comprises of interoperability
issues, OSI layers and LAN network.
Interoperability
The property which permit to have open-ended sharing of resources among diverse
systems is referred to as interoperability. This denotes ability for sharing data among assorted
machines or components through the usage of hardware or software via WAN or LAN.
OSI Model along with their functionality
Open System Interconnection (OSI)model denotes a logical and conceptual layout that is
liable for defining network communication utilised by systems for communication along with
interconnection in between other systems (Fan and et. al, 2015). Basically, within school OSI
reference model will assist developers to facilitate a smooth framework which will describe
functions of telecommunication or networking system.
History:
In 1977, ISO developed OSI model which is widely accepted for knowing of network
communication. It acts as a conceptual framework and comprises of seven layers along with
specifications of what is to be carried out within each layer. It acts as a foundation of widely-
adopted suite of protocols that is utilised by international internetwork.
Layers:
Physical layer: It is liable for transmitting individual bits from one node to the other
node which will enable communication in between different floors of School. Its functions have
been illustrated below:
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 This defines the ways in which different devices are physically connected along with the
ways in which network devices are arranged which denotes topology.
 Type of signals identify transmission of information and also illustrates their mode i.e.
duplex, or simplex.
Data Link layer: This is liable for error-free transmission of data frames within a
network and also defines their format. Functions are:
 Raw bit streams are transformed into packets referred to frames as well as header and
trailer is added which contains address of destination (Gu and et. al, 2015).
 The major function is maintain constant data rate so that it do not get corrupted and error
control can be attained by calculation of cyclic redundancy check.
(Source: What is OSI Model?, 2019)
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Illustration 1: OSI Model

Network layer: It is responsible for managing address of devices as well as track devices
location present within a network. Its functions are:
 It is liable for providing logical connection among assorted devices as well as adds the
address of source & destination within header of frame (Kratzke and Peinl, 2016).
 It is liable for identification of best optimal path among diverse paths from source till
destination along with this packets are attained from upper layer.
Transport layer: This layer make sure that messages that are being sent, duplication do
not occurs as well as data can be transferred completely. Their functions are:
 It is responsible for adding service-point address as transmissions also take place from
process to process. It is liable to transmit message to appropriate process.
 The message is segregated into diverse segments and they are assigned a sequence
number which uniquely identify them when message reach destination.
Session layer: This is utilised for establishing, maintaining as well as synchronising
communication among devices. Its functions are as:
 This acts as dialog controller which is liable for communication among processes that
may be duplex or simplex (Lu and et. al, 2015).
 Checkpoints are added for transmission, if errors occur then it will again start from the
checkpoint, it is denoted as synchronisation and recovery.
Presentation layer: It is associated with semantics and their syntax for exchange of
information among systems also acts as data translator within a network. Functions are:
 Encryption is needed for maintaining privacy as well as converting it into other form so
that it can be transmitted over a network.
 Compression is carried out so that number of bits can be minimised (What is The OSI
Model?, 2019).
Application layer: It acts as a window for their users as well as application processes
along with issues like resource allocation network transparency, etc. There functions are:
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 Provide access to files within remote systems, their retrieval as well as management (Lu
and et. Al, 2015).
 Renders facilities for sending emails as well as store them and distributed database for
furnishing global information about different objects.
Comparison of OSI protocol with TCP protocol suite
This is illustrated below:
Basis OSI Model TCP/IP Model
Meaning This is theoretical model that is
utilised within computing systems.
This is client server model that is
being utilised for transmission
of data over network.
Layers and approaches 7 layers and make use of vertical
approaches
4 layers and utilise horizontal
approach.
Transmission of
message
Transport layer is liable for
delivering packets.
Transport layer do not guarantee
packets delivery still it is most
reliable (Gu and et. al, 2015) .
Explicate protocols used within OSI layers along with their functionalities.
The set of rules that are liable for governing communication among computers within a
network are defined as protocols. Within OSI model each layer have to follow specified
protocols, they have been illustrated below:
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Illustration 2: OSI Layers along with their protocols

Functionalities: They have been illustrated below:
HTTP: It is internet based protocol that is being used for sending as well as receiving webpages.
TCP: This is associated with reliable as well as efficient transportation of packets from one
network to the other (Kratzke and Peinl, 2016).
IP: In this network messages are routed from one system to the other, through this logical
addresses can be assigned to devices that are present within network.
Ethernet: They emphasise on hardware elements like network interface cards, repeaters and
cables. This illustrates the ways in which data packets are transmitted from one node to other.
Comparative analysis of media types
Specifications Wired Network Wireless Network
Speed of operations High speed Low but advanced
technologies like LTE-A etc.
will deliver high speed.
System bandwidth High Low as frequency spectrum is
very rare
Cost Low as cables are not
expensive
Expensive as access points and
adapters are costly (Gu and et.
al, 2015)
Summary
From above it has been found that networking will play crucial role within School to
provide effective communication among different floors. It also assist them within sharing of
resources which otherwise will be costly. In addition to OSI model will lead them to ensure
security of messages that bare being delivered along with their authenticity. The best ioption for
School is to make use of wired network as it delivers high speed, bandwidth and cost associated
with them is also low.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, networking refers to process of aggregation of
computing devices for carrying out interaction and share different resources. The connection can
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be established by the means of wired or wireless technology. OSI model acts as a reference point
which defines set of rules by which systems communicate with one other.
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References
Books & Journals
Buamod, I., Abdelmoghith, E. and Mouftah, H. T., 2015. A review of OSI-based charging
standards and eMobility open protocols. In 2015 6th International Conference on the
Network of the Future (NOF) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
Fan, W. and et. al, 2015, August. A near field communication (NFC) security model based on
OSI reference model. In 2015 IEEE Trustcom/BigDataSE/ISPA (Vol. 1, pp. 1324-
1328). IEEE.
Gu, Y. and et. al, 2015. Matching theory for future wireless networks: Fundamentals and
applications. IEEE Communications Magazine. 53(5). pp.52-59.
Kratzke, N. and Peinl, R., 2016, September. Clouns-a cloud-native application reference model
for enterprise architects. In 2016 IEEE 20th International Enterprise Distributed Object
Computing Workshop (EDOCW) (pp. 1-10). IEEE.
Lu, X. and et. al, 2015. Wireless charger networking for mobile devices: Fundamentals,
standards, and applications. IEEE Wireless Communications. 22(2). pp.126-135.
Online
What is The OSI Model?. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/ddos/glossary/open-systems-interconnection-
model-osi/>.
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