OPEN SYSTEMS INTERCONNECTION PROTOCOLS.

Abstract

The concept of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) has now been in existence for several years. The aim of OSI was (and is) to allow the standardization of a small set of general-purpose protocols which would make possible the widespread interconnection of heterogeneous computer systems. The protocols are being developed according to a Reference Model which partitions communications into seven layers. This has permitted parallel development of the protocols for the different layers. The first protocols to emerge are for the transport and session layers. The capabilities provided by these protocols and their history, functionality, and status are examined.