Visual breakdown of the OSI Model's 7 layers Whether you are new to IT or a seasoned admin, chances are you have heard of the OSI or the TCP/IP model. These frameworks help us understand how data flows across our networks — from online shopping to high-speed data transfers. However, many job postings require knowledge of TCP/IP but not OSI. Why is that? Is one favored over the other? Let's take a look at both. What is the OSI Model? Introduced in the 1980s, the Open System Interconnect — OSI — breaks down network communication into seven layers, each with a specific function. Layer Functions 7. Application User and device interaction for network services (web browsing, email, file transfer) 6. Presentation Formats data for applications, ensures readable and secure data 5. Session Establishes, maintains, and ends connections between devices. For example: Online shop...