Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
How do the OSI model and TCP/IP model compare?
OSI's 7 layers map onto TCP/IP's 4: OSI layers 5-7 collapse into the TCP/IP Application layer, and OSI layers 1-2 collapse into Network Access; Transport and Network/Internet line up one-to-one.
* How the seven OSI layers collapse onto the four TCP/IP layers. *
| OSI Model (7 layers) | TCP/IP Model (4 layers) |
|---|---|
| 7 - Application | Application |
| 6 - Presentation | Application |
| 5 - Session | Application |
| 4 - Transport | Transport |
| 3 - Network | Internet |
| 2 - Data Link | Network Access |
| 1 - Physical | Network Access |
Key differences:
- OSI divides the application layer into three layers (Application, Presentation, Session)
- OSI separates physical and data link functions
- TCP/IP doesn't specify which protocols to use for physical transmission
- OSI Layers 1 and 2 discuss the procedures to access media and physical means to send data
Go deeper:
OSI model — comparison with TCP/IP — the seven layers and how they relate to the Internet model.- Internet protocol suite — layering — the four-layer model's view of the same functions.