OSI Standard: Exploring How Data Flows in a Network

 The OSI model is a framework that illustrates a standard model for communication between devices and applications across a network. The CompTia Network+ N10-008 Complete Video Course introduces the 7 layers of the OSI model. Understanding the OSI model helps you understand how data flows over a network. Client-server and peer-to-peer models both operate according to the OSI standards; however, they have different approaches to managing resources, controlling access, and distributing responsibilities. For example, Client-server architectures have centralized control location, whereas, peer-to-peer architectures distribute control and resources among participating peers. A centralized control location makes managing resources, authentication, and security protocols easier because the parameters are established in a centralized location instead of divided across each participating peer individually. Data integrity and authentication can be difficult when divided among peers raising legitimate security concerns. When considering how data flows over a network, managers consider performance, efficiency, and scalability. Without an understanding of the OSI model, one might misunderstand how data flows, how protocols work, and how different components of a network communicate. Troubleshooting a network would become overwhelming because troubleshooting requires context of how data flows. While it may be possible to provide a high-level illustration of the Client-server and peer-to-peer resource management and communication patterns without an understanding of the OSI model, if one takes the time to research and understand the OSI framework it will be easier to understand the detailed protocols and communication layers of a network.


Data flows from the application layer down through the layers encapsulating and adding necessary headers at each layer until it reaches the physical layer for transmission over the network. Just as one example, the application layer provides network services and interfaces to applications for user interaction. There is an entire protocol for how this works. The application isn’t just there, there is an entire process called an HTTP protocol that allows the browser to communicate a response when it asks for a webpage. If one does not understand that there are entire processes for communication, troubleshooting will be a nightmare as things will appear to “just work” without a standardized process. The application layer doesn’t “just render” an application, there is an entire communication process that occurs under the hood. Khan Academy provides a detailed explanation of how an HTTP process to render an application works under the hood. Understand that HTTP protocol is not the only protocol that can exist at the application layer. Understanding the multiple protocols that render software assists with understanding how data flows in an application, through a network, and across the internet. This suggests that the processes that explain how networks communicate are complex and need to be carefully assessed to gain context for how data flows across a network. While it is possible to study a network at a high-level only, the ability to troubleshoot lies in the details.

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