Layered Architecture

Open System
Interconnection(OSI) reference
model

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Layered Architecture
Why Layered approach?
What is layered approach
Basic principles of Layered approach
Entity and protocols
Service and Service Access Points
Types of Services
Service Primitives
ISOs OSI Reference model
Functions of different Layers of OSI Model
By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University
Basic Concepts
For successful communication, two systems must follow a
common set of rules for generating and interpreting
messages.
The set of rules to be followed is very complex.
Layered approach provides viable approach to deal with a
complex problem(divide and conquer).
The communication function are partitioned into a
hierarchical set layers.
A set of related communication functions that can
be managed and grouped together
Each layer provides a service to the layer above
Each layer operates according to a protocol

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Why Layered Approach?
A complex problem is divided into a number of pieces of
manageable and comprehensible size.
It provides structured modular approach
Objective is that Each module can be developed and
tested independently.
Allows easy enhancement and implementation of the
functions of a particular layer without affecting other
layers.
Protocol in each layer can be designed separately from
those in other layers
Protocol makes calls for services from layer below
Monolithic non-layered
layered architectures are costly, inflexible,
and soon obsolete

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Some basic principles followed in
Layering
Use optimum number of layers.
Put similar functions in the same layer.
Create a layer where there is need for different
levels of abstraction.
Allow changes of functions to be made within a
layer without affecting others.
others
Create layer boundaries for each layer with its
upper and lower layers..
Choose layer boundaries to minimize information
flow across the boundaries.
boundaries

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Layers and Interfaces
System interconnection rules are modularized in
terms of a series of layers of functions. say N
layers
Each layer contains a group of related functions
A layer below layer and a Layer above Layer n
are Layer(n-1) and Layer(n+1),respectively.
Layer(n+
Between each pair of adjacent layers there is a
interface.

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Layers and interfaces
Interface defines which primitive services the
lower Layer n provides service to layer (n+1)
through service access points(SAP).
Each layer adds value to the services provided
by lower layers.

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Layers and Interfaces

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

OSI Unified View: Protocols
Layer n in one machine interacts with layer n in another machine to
provide a service to layer n +1
The entities comprising the corresponding layers on different
machines are called peer processes.
The machines use a set of rules and conventions called the layer-n
protocol.
Layer-nn peer processes communicate by exchanging Protocol Data
Units (PDUs)

n-PDUs
PDUs

n n
Entity Entity

Layer n peer protocol

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University
OSI Unified View: Services
Communication between peer processes is virtual
and actually indirect
Layer n+1 transfers information by invoking the
services provided by layer n
Services are available at Service Access Points
(SAPs)
Each layer passes data & control information to the
layer below it until the physical layer is reached and
transfer occurs
The data passed to the layer below is called a
Service Data Unit (SDU)
SDUs are encapsulated in PDUs
PDU

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Layers, Services & Protocols

n+1 n+1
entity entity

n-SDU n-SDU
n-SAP n-SAP

n-SDU
SDU H
n entity n entity
H n-SDU
n-PDU
PDU
By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University
Entity and Protocol
Data Communication occurs between two
entities in different systems.
systems
Entity is something which is capable of
sending,processing or receiving information.
For communication to take place the entities
should follow an agreed upon protocol.

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Protocol
A Protocol is a set of rules that govern data
communication.
It defines What,How and When.
Elements:
Syntax:
Referes to the structure or format of data.
Semantics:
The way the bit patterns are interpreted and actions taken
based on the interpretation.
Timing:
Specifies when data can be sent and how fast it can be sent.
Synchronizes timing for functions such as speed matching
and sequencing
By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University
Service Access Points

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Information Flow in a Layered
Architecture
Layer n on one machine carries on conversation
with layer n on another machine
Rules and conventions used in this conversation
are collectively known as layer n protocol.
List of protocols used by certain system is called
protocol stack.
Set of layers and protocols is the network
architecture.

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Services
Connection-oriented:
oriented: Modeled after telephone system.
Connection-Less:
Less: Modeled after postal system.
Quality of Service(order,error and delay)
Confirmed
Unconfirmed
Examples:
Sequence of pages (Conn)
Remote log-in(Conn)
Digitized voice(Conn)
Electronic Junk mail(connless)
Registered mail(connless)
Data Base Enquiry(connless)

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Service Primitives

Connect Request request a connection to be

established.
Connect Indication Signal the called party.
Connect Response Used by the callee to
accept/reject calls.
Connect Confirm Tell the caller whether the
call was accepted.

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Timing Sequence for Service
Primitives

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University

Open Systems Interconnection
Network architecture:
Definition of all the layers
Design of protocols for every layer
By the 1970s every computer vendor had developed its
own proprietary layered network architecture
Problem: computers from different vendors could not be
networked together

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)(1970) model was an

international effort by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO)(1947
1947) to enable multivendor
computer interconnection

By R VIJAYAN,Assistant Professor(SG),SITE,VIT University