The OSI model is very important as a reference model because it establishes the communication process between devices. Each of its seven layers is responsible for sending, establishing, identifying, transporting, joining, translating, and enabling the transmission and protection of data across the Internet.
The first layer, the physical layer, refers to the physical parts or elements of the network connection, such as cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals. This layer transfers bits (0s and 1s) through the physical connection and also determines the bandwidth (data transmission speed).
The second layer, the data link layer, is responsible for establishing a link between two devices; it can detect errors at the physical level and control the flow of data.
The network layer is responsible for routing the data, ensuring that it reaches its destination between two or more connected networks.
The transport layer manages the transmission of the message. At this layer, data is fragmented and sent in much smaller pieces, which helps it flow quickly.
The fifth layer, the session layer, is responsible for opening and closing communications, ensuring a stable connection for the duration of the communication. It also synchronizes network systems.
The presentation layer is responsible for encrypting and translating the data so that communications remain authentic, confidential, and understandable between devices.
Finally, the application layer generates services for the end user, such as WhatsApp, email, or a web browser, and handles protocols such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).
All these layers are necessary to maintain security on the network, as each one generates the necessary processes for devices to send and receive information through physical media. The data transfer process does not happen magically; there is a whole internal management and handling process of the data that we do not see, but our devices translate when sending and receiving information.
If the OSI model did not exist, data transfer would be very complicated. If each manufacturer or region handled its own system differently and in a disorganized manner, many devices would not be able to communicate since the protocols would not be the same. This would create communication problems. Furthermore, if any layer of the model were missing, it could compromise network security, as well as the proper handling and distribution of data. It could also complicate the accurate measurement of voltage at the physical layer.
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