OSI vs TCP/IP comparison in Computer Networks - Visual Side-by-Side Comparison

Concept Flow - OSI vs TCP/IP comparison

Start: Data to send

↓

OSI Model Layers

↓

App

↓

TCP/IP Model Layers

↓

App

↓

Data sent over network

Data moves down OSI's 7 layers or TCP/IP's 4 layers before sending over the network.

Execution Sample

Computer Networks

OSI Layers: Application -> Presentation -> Session -> Transport -> Network -> Data Link -> Physical
TCP/IP Layers: Application -> Transport -> Internet -> Link

Shows the order of layers in OSI and TCP/IP models for sending data.

Analysis Table

Step	Model	Layer	Role	Action	Data Format
1	OSI	Application	User interface	Prepare data	Data
2	OSI	Presentation	Data format	Translate/Encrypt	Formatted Data
3	OSI	Session	Manage sessions	Establish session	Session Data
4	OSI	Transport	Reliable delivery	Segment data	Segments
5	OSI	Network	Routing	Add IP address	Packets
6	OSI	Data Link	Physical addressing	Add MAC address	Frames
7	OSI	Physical	Transmit bits	Send bits	Bits
8	TCP/IP	Application	User interface + format	Prepare & format data	Data
9	TCP/IP	Transport	Reliable delivery	Segment data	Segments
10	TCP/IP	Internet	Routing	Add IP address	Packets
11	TCP/IP	Link	Physical addressing + transmission	Add MAC + send bits	Frames
12	End	-	-	-	Data sent over network

💡 Data fully processed by all layers and sent over the network

State Tracker

Layer	Data Format Start	After OSI Layer 2	After OSI Layer 4	After OSI Layer 6	After OSI Layer 7	After TCP/IP Layer 2	After TCP/IP Layer 4
Data	Raw Data	Formatted Data	Segments	Frames	Bits	Segments	Frames

Key Insights - 3 Insights

Why does OSI have more layers than TCP/IP?

OSI separates functions like presentation and session for clarity (see execution_table steps 2 and 3), while TCP/IP combines these in the Application layer (step 8).

Is the Physical layer present in TCP/IP?

TCP/IP combines Physical and Data Link into the Link layer (step 11), unlike OSI which separates them (steps 6 and 7).

Do both models handle routing the same way?

Both use a Network/Internet layer for routing (OSI step 5, TCP/IP step 10), adding IP addresses to packets.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

According to the execution_table, which OSI layer adds the MAC address?

A Physical

B Network

C Data Link

D Session

💡 Hint

Look at execution_table row 6 where MAC address is added.

In TCP/IP, which layer combines physical transmission and data link functions?

A Link

B Internet

C Transport

D Application

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 11 describing combined MAC and bit sending.

At which OSI layer does data become 'Segments' according to variable_tracker?

A After Layer 2 (Presentation)

B After Layer 4 (Transport)

C After Layer 6 (Data Link)

D After Layer 7 (Physical)

💡 Hint

See variable_tracker column 'After OSI Layer 4' for data format.

Concept Snapshot

OSI model has 7 layers: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical.
TCP/IP model has 4 layers: Application, Transport, Internet, Link.
OSI separates functions more finely; TCP/IP combines some layers.
Both models prepare data step-by-step before sending over network.
Understanding layer roles helps in networking and troubleshooting.

Full Transcript

This visual execution compares OSI and TCP/IP network models. Data starts at the Application layer and moves down through layers adding information or changing format. OSI has 7 layers, each with a specific role, while TCP/IP has 4 layers combining some OSI functions. The execution table shows each step where data is prepared, segmented, addressed, and finally sent as bits. Variable tracking shows how data changes format at key layers. Key moments clarify common confusions about layer differences and functions. The quiz tests understanding of which layers do what in each model. This helps beginners see how data flows through network layers in both models.