OSI Model - Open Systems Interconnection model

The OSI model was introduced in 1984. Although it was designed to be an abstract model, the OSI model remains a practical framework for today's key network technologies like Ethernet and protocols like IP. Layer 7: The application layer...This is the layer at which communication partners are identified, quality of service is identified, user authentication and privacy are considered, and any constraints on data syntax are identified. (This layer is not the application itself, although some applications may perform application layer functions.) Layer 6: The presentation layer...This is a layer, usually part of an operating system, that converts incoming and outgoing data from one presentation format to another (for example, from a text stream into a popup window with the newly arrived text). Sometimes called the syntax layer. Layer 5: The session layer...This layer sets up, coordinates, and terminates conversations, exchanges, and dialogs between the applications at each end. It deals with session and connection coordination. Layer 4: The transport layer...This layer manages the end-to-end control (for example, determining whether all packets have arrived) and error-checking. It ensures complete data transfer. Layer 3: The network layer...This layer handles the routing of the data (sending it in the right direction to the right destination on outgoing transmissions and receiving incoming transmissions at the packet level). The network layer does routing and forwarding. Layer 2: The data-link layer...This layer provides synchronization for the physical level and does bit-stuffing for strings of 1's in excess of 5. It furnishes transmission protocol knowledge and management. Layer 1: The physical layer...This layer conveys the bit stream through the network at the electrical and mechanical level. It provides the hardware means of sending and receiving data on a carrier. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the difference between a modem/router/switch/WAP?

To understand the difference between a modem and a router, you need to understand several different, but related, devices. The individual devices are (1) an ADSL modem; (2) a router; (3) a switch; and (4) a wireless access point (WAP). It becomes confusing because there are combination devices which can combine both an ADSL modem and a router in the one case as well as devices which can combine an ADSL modem, a router and a switch all in the one case! What is an ADSL modem An ADSL modem is a device that transmits and receives data over the plain old telephone system's (POTS) analogue lines. It allows your PC to connect to your ISP using the Internet Protocol. The modem acts as a "bridge" between your PC and your ISP. The dynamic or static public IP address which your modem obtains from your ISP is passed on to your PC. Your ADSL modem forwards packets based on hardware level MAC addresses between your ISP's router (and the Internet) and your PC. What is a router? A router is a device which acts as an interface between two networks. It forwards packets based on network level addresses (Internet Protocol addresses in this case) between your ISP's router and either your LAN or your single PC. A router learns more about the networks to which it is connected and can be more selective about the packets it passes on. A router rejects packets unless they match predefined attributes (eg specific protocols or destination network addresses). A router can also select the best route for packets to take in large interconnected networks. For a more detailed look at how routers work, check out this link at the How Stuff Works web site. What is a switch?

An Ethernet/LAN switch creates a virtual network between two networked devices for the duration of the data transfer. This is unlike a hub which forwards all received data to all connected devices, even though the data may be destined for just one of those devices. A switch learns the association between the MAC addresses of connected devices and its switched ports. By sending data only to where it needs to go, a switch reduces the amount of data on the network, thereby increasing the overall performance of the connected devices. A switch also improves security, since data is not broadcast to every connected device, but only to the device for which it is destined, it cannot be monitored by other connected devices. For a more detailed look at how switches work, check out this link at the How Stuff Works web site. What is a WAP? A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a 'base station' device that connects a wired Ethernet network to a wireless network (WLAN) comprising one or more wireless devices. While very small WLANs can function without a WAP in "ad hoc" or "peer-to-peer" mode, WAPs support "infrastructure" mode which bridges WLANs with a wired Ethernet network and also scales the network to support more clients. There a few different types of WAP: (1) Bridges ? connect devices that all use the same kind of protocol; (2) Hubs ? provide networking connections to a variety of clients and add features like roaming; (3) Routers ? connect networks that use different protocols; and (4) Gateways provide additional features such as NAT, DHCP servers and firewalls. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MAC address (What is the need of MAC Address, its length) Short for Media Access Control address, a hardware address that uniquely identifies each node of a network. In IEEE 802 networks, the Data Link Control (DLC) layer of the OSI Reference Model is divided into two sub-layers: the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The MAC layer interfaces directly with the network medium. Consequently, each different type of network medium requires a different MAC layer.