Abstract

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant and objective material related to the OSI and TCP/IP network reference model. Moreover, the dissimilarities between the two network reference models were also analyzed with reference to the current scenario.

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion & Analysis3

TCP/IP Network Reference Model3

OSI Network Reference Model4

Difference between OSI and TCP/IP Network Models5

Conclusion6

Works Cited7

“OSI Network Reference Model versus TCP/IP Network Reference Mode”

Introduction

Networks have continued to be explored in modeling hierarchies and in optimization. The two most acknowledge models exist in the world of computer networking are OSI and TCP/IP Network reference models. There are only a few but major dissimilarities between the characteristics of TCP/IP and OSI Network Reference models. Although the differences between the two models may be higher than their similarities, still they both are an integral part of designing a network system. In the following section, we will examine the key characteristics of both the network reference models and also we will evaluate some major difference between OSI and TCP/IP Network reference models.

Discussion & Analysis

TCP/IP Network Reference Model

TCP/IP model, also referred as Internet model, is mostly used by network system manufacturers and designers. Though this model may be modified by the designers at their will, the most popular network, which is built on this model, is Internet, which is why it is also called Internet Model. TCP/IP reference model was created by DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) and is also known as DOD model. This model was created to bring in Standardized network systems which could easily inter-operate with each other. This model after release very soon surpassed the popularity of OSI model, which was then considered a lot complex to design (Abbate, pp. 45-58).

The TCP/IP network reference model is built upon 4 layers and 3 protocols. These 3 protocols are TCP, UDP and IP. Where TCP or Transmission control protocol is used to for connection-oriented communication, UDP or User data-gram protocol is used for connection-less communication. IP or Internet Protocol is responsible for maintaining virtual addressing and routing of network packets. The 4 layers of this model are Internet Layer, Host to Network Layer, Transport Layer, and Application Layer.

Host to Network Layer is accountable for producing, maintaining, controlling and sending signals from one node to another. All the physical medium and controlling medium are a part of this layer, which is also known as Link Layer. ...