Understanding the network layers and protocols

When writing applications that interact with networks, it is very useful to know what network protocols are used. A network protocol is a defined set of rules that defines how data is formatted, transmitted, and received between different devices and applications over a network. Different network protocols are used for different tasks. Some protocols are secure by nature, while some protocols are insecure by nature. The OSI network layer reference model is a good place to start in understanding the layers of a device’s networking capabilities and the associated protocols for those layers.

OSI stands for Open Standards Institute. The OSI network layer reference model is a conceptual model that defines and standardizes the communication between computers and telecommunication devices. It is independent of the technology that underpins such communication, so it is a technology-agnostic representation of the layers and protocols...