
Difference Between OSI and TCP/IP Models
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Are you looking for the difference between the OSI and TCP/IP models? Look no further! This blog will provide in-detailed information regarding the OSI and TCP/IP models in networking.
Therefore keep reading the blog till the end to familiarize yourself with the concepts.
What is OSI?
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework describing layers used by computer systems to communicate over a network.
The OSI model illustrates computing functions into a versatile set of rules and provisions to support compatibility between different derivatives and software.
What are the layers of the OSI model?
There are seven layers of the TCP/IP model, namely-
Application Layer
Presentation Layer
Session Layer
Transport Layer
Network Layer
Data Link Layer
Physical Layer
What is TCP/IP?
The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) model deals with the connection-orientated protocols determining that a device must establish a link before transmitting, acquiring or swapping the data or information.
Also, one must ensure the closure of the connection after exchanging the data and information in the TCP/IP model.
What are the layers of the TCP/IP model?
There are four layers of the TCP/IP model, namely-
Process/Application Layer
Host-to-Host/Transport Layer
Internet Layer
Network Access/Link Layer
Difference between OSI and TCP/IP.
The difference between OSI and TCP/IP models is as follows-
| OSI | TCP/IP |
Full Form | Open System Interconnection | Transmission Control Protocol |
Developer | ISO (International Standard Organization) has developed the OSI model. | ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network) has developed TCP/IP model. |
Definition | An autonomous measure and generic protocol used as a transmission gateway between the network and the end user refers to the OSI model. | A standard protocol leading to the development of the internet and acting as a transmission protocol establishing the connection among the hosts refers to TCP/IP model. |
Transport Layer | The transport layer assures the delivery of the packets in the OSI model. | The transport layer does not ensure the delivery of packets in the TCP/IP model. |
Approach | The OSI model works on a vertical approach. | The TCP/IP model works on a horizontal approach. |
Session/Presentation Layer | The session and presentation layers are separate in the OSI model. | The session and presentation layers are not distinguishable in the TCP/IP model. |
Model | OSI is a reference model via which various networks get built. | The TCP/IP is an executed model of OSI. |
Service | The network layer provides connection-oriented and connectionless services in the OSI model. | The network layer delivers solely connectionless service in the TCP/IP model. |
Protocols | The protocols are hidden and can get easily replaced in the OSI model. | The protocols can not get easily replaced in the TCP/IP model. |
Layering | A total of seven layers are there in the OSI model. | A total of four layers are there in the TCP/IP model. |
Dependency | It does not depend on protocols. | It depends on protocols. |
Usage | The usage of the OSI model is low. | The usage of the TCP/IP model is high. |
Standardization | The OSI model standardizes routers, motherboards, switches, and other hardware. | The TCP/IP model provides no standardization but a connection between computers. |
Distinction | OSI model distinctions between the services, protocols, and interface. | The TCP/IP model does not distinguish between the services, protocols, and interfaces. |
Reliability | OSI model is reliable. | TCP/IP model is reliable. |
Explain the similarities between OSI and TCP/IP models.
The similarities between the OSI and TCP/IP models are as follows-
Both models are layered and build upon one another to provide end-to-end communication.
Both models have physical layering for transmitting raw data over a physical medium.
Both models have a network layer for routing data between networks.
Both models have a transport layer to provide reliable or unreliable end-to-end delivery of data.
Both models have an application layer to provide services to end users.
Both models have a session layer to manage the maintenance and termination of sessions between applications.
Both models have a presentation layer to handle the translation and encryption of data.
Both models use protocols to define the rules and formats for communication between different layers and devices.
Both models are open standards that get widely used in networking.
Both models have limitations and weaknesses; network engineers often use their combination to design and troubleshoot complex networks.
Use of OSI and TCP/IP models
The OSI and TCP/IP models get used in the following ways-
Web Browsing
While browsing the internet, your web browser sends a request to a server via multiple OSI layers. The request gets broken down into packets using TCP/IP, which then transmit across the internet to the server to create the requested webpage.
Email
While sending an email, a client uses the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) to send the message, which uses the OSI model to process and route the message to its intended recipient.
Video Conferencing
While in a video conference, the audio and video data gets broken down into packets using TCP/IP and sent across the network, forming the audio and video stream.
Online Gaming
Online games use TCP/IP to transmit game data between players.
Wrapping Up!
The OSI and TCP/IP models are crucial networking components that help to transmit data and information between users and devices. They share the same architecture, have pre-defined standards, require a simplified troubleshooting procedure, and have identical ‘transport‘ and ‘network‘ layers functionality.
For more details, refer to our blogs on the OSI and TCP/IP model to learn the concepts better. Also, for any queries and questions, feel free to write in the box below.
Happy Learning!
FAQs:
01. Mention the different layers of the OSI model.
There are seven layers of the TCP/IP model, namely- Application Layer, Presentation Layer, Session Layer, Transport Layer, Network Layer, Data Link Layer, Physical Layer,
02. Mention the different layers of the TCP/IP model.
There are four layers of the TCP/IP model, namely- Process/Application Layer, Host-to-Host/Transport Layer, Internet Layer, Network Access/Link Layer,
03. Is the OSI model reliable?
The transport layer ensures the delivery of packets in the OSI model, making it reliable.
04. Is the TCP/IP model reliable?
The transport layer does not ensure the delivery of packets in the TCP/IP model, but it is still reliable.
05. What is the advantage of OSI over TCP?
The advantage of using OSI over TCP is that the protocols are hidden and easily replaceable in the OSI model than the TCP/IP model.
06. How are TCP and OSI similar?
TCP and OSI are similar since both models use protocols to define the rules and formats for communication between different layers and devices and are layered and built upon one another to provide end-to-end communication.