Imagine you want to send a message to your friend who lives far away, but you want to make sure the message gets to them without any problems. To do this, you need to go through different layers, just like a cake has different layers.
Similarly, the OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection) has 8 layers that help your message (or data) get from your computer to your friend’s computer without any problems. Each layer has its job to make sure your message is sent and received correctly.
The 8 layers of the OSI model are:
- Physical Layer – This is the layer that deals with the physical parts of sending a message, such as cables, wires, and signals.
- Data Link Layer – This layer helps break up the message into smaller pieces called frames, and it also helps make sure the frames are sent and received without any errors.
- Network Layer – This layer is like a GPS system that helps direct the message to the right destination.
- Transport Layer – This layer helps make sure that the message is sent and received in the correct order.
- Session Layer – This layer helps manage communication between different devices, like setting up and ending a conversation.
- Presentation Layer – This layer is like a translator, making sure that the message is sent in a way that can be understood by the receiving device.
- Application Layer – This layer is where your message is created, like typing an email or message.
- The eighth layer is you! You are the one using the application layer to create the message and send it on its journey through the different layers of the OSI model to reach your friend’s computer.