1 - Open Systems Interconnection

Abstract

This chapter reviews the various aspects of open system interconnections. The aim of open systems interconnection (OSI) is to allow, with a minimum of technical agreement outside the interconnection standards, the interconnection of computer systems. The OSI standards were developed to allow computer systems built by different vendors to exchange data; the previous use of proprietary network architectures hampered the development of large, multivendor networks. The Reference Model of OSI, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) allows for standardization in process-to-process communication. OSI involves the exchange of information between open systems but not the internal functioning of each individual system; thus, OSI is primarily concerned with interoperability. The OSI model has sufficient flexibility to accommodate advances in technology and expansion in user demands. OSI addresses both the network interconnections and the interworking of applications.