TCP/IP Architecture Model: 4-Layers vs. OSI 7 Layers

TCP/IP architecture does not exactly follow the OSI model. Unfortunately, there is no universal agreement regarding how to describe TCP/IP with a layered model. It is generally agreed that TCP/IP has fewer levels (from three to five layers) than the seven layers of the OSI model. We adopt a four layers model for the TCP/IP architecture.

TCP/IP architecture omits some features found under the OSI model, combines the features of some adjacent OSI layers and splits other layers apart. The 4-layer structure of TCP/IP is built as information is passed down from applications to the physical network layer. When data is sent, each layer treats all of the information it receives from the upper layer as data, adds control information (header) to the front of that data and then pass it to the lower layer. When data is received, the opposite procedure takes place as each layer processes and removes its header before passing the data to the upper layer.

The TCP/IP 4-layer model and the key functions of each layer is described below:

Application Layer

The Application Layer in TCP/IP groups the functions of OSI Application, Presentation Layer and Session Layer. Therefore any process above the transport layer is called an Application in the TCP/IP architecture. In TCP/IP socket and port are used to describe the path over which applications communicate. Most application level protocols are associated with one or more port number.

Transport Layer

In TCP/IP architecture, there are two Transport Layer protocols. The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) guarantees information transmission. The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) transports datagram swithout end-to-end reliability checking. Both protocols are useful for different applications.

Network Layer

The Internet Protocol (IP) is the primary protocol in the TCP/IP Network Layer. All upper and lower layer communications must travel through IP as they are passed through the TCP/IP protocol stack. In addition, there are many supporting protocols in the Network Layer, such as ICMP, to facilitate and manage the routing process.

Network Access Layer

In the TCP/IP architecture, the Data Link Layer and Physical Layer are normally grouped together to become the Network Access layer. TCP/IP makes use of existing Data Link and Physical Layer standards rather than defining its own. Many RFCs describe how IP utilizes and interfaces with the existing data link protocols such as Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, HSSI, and ATM. The physical layer, which defines the hardware communication properties, is not often directly interfaced with the TCP/IP protocols in the network layer and above.

Figure: TCP/IP 4 Layers Model

TCP/IP Architecture Model: 4-Layers vs. OSI 7 Layers