OSI Reference Model the Open Thesis

The Data Link Layer, Layer 2, provides the means to transfer data between network entities and to detect and possibly correct errors that may occur in the layer beneath it, the Physical Layer. This bottom layer is responsible for: establishment and termination of a connection to a communications medium; participation in the process where communication resources are effectively shared among multiple users and; conversion between the representation of digital data in user equipment and the corresponding signals transmitted over a communications channel.

Individual layers are not exposed to how the layers above and below them function; they only know how to pass data to them (the seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model).Isolating network communications functions in this way minimizes the impact of changes on the entire protocol suite (the seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model).

Bibliography

Open Systems Interconnection -- Reference Model (OSI -- RM). http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-025/_3680.htm

The 7 layers of the OSI Model (2008, March 3). Webopedia. http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/OSI_Layers.asp

The seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model. http://www.citap.com/documents/tcp-ip/tcpip006.htm.....