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Presentation Layer in OSI model

Prerequisite : OSI Model

Introduction : Presentation Layer is the 6th layer in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. This layer is also known as Translation layer, as this layer serves as a data translator for the network. The data which this layer receives from the Application Layer is extracted and manipulated here as per the required format to transmit over the network. The main responsibility of this layer is to provide or define the data format and encryption. The presentation layer is also called as Syntax layer since it is responsible for maintaining the proper syntax of the data which it either receives or transmits to other layer(s).

Functions of Presentation Layer :

The presentation layer, being the 6th layer in the OSI model, performs several types of functions, which are described below-

Presentation layer format and encrypts data to be sent across the network.
This layer takes care that the data is sent in such a way that the receiver will understand the information (data) and will be able to use the data efficiently and effectively.
This layer manages the abstract data structures and allows high-level data structures (example- banking records), which are to be defined or exchanged.
This layer carries out the encryption at the transmitter and decryption at the receiver.
This layer carries out data compression to reduce the bandwidth of the data to be transmitted (the primary goal of data compression is to reduce the number of bits which is to be transmitted).
This layer is responsible for interoperability (ability of computers to exchange and make use of information) between encoding methods as different computers use different encoding methods.
This layer basically deals with the presentation part of the data.
Presentation layer, carries out the data compression (number of bits reduction while transmission), which in return improves the data throughput.
This layer also deals with the issues of string representation.
The presentation layer is also responsible for integrating all the formats into a standardized format for efficient and effective communication.
This layer encodes the message from the user-dependent format to the common format and vice-versa for communication between dissimilar systems.
This layer deals with the syntax and semantics of the messages.
This layer also ensures that the messages which are to be presented to the upper as well as the lower layer should be standardized as well as in an accurate format too.
Presentation layer is also responsible for translation, formatting, and delivery of information for processing or display.
This layer also performs serialization (process of translating a data structure or an object into a format that can be stored or transmitted easily).

Features of Presentation Layer in the OSI model: Presentation layer, being the 6th layer in the OSI model, plays a vital role while communication is taking place between two devices in a network.

List of features which are provided by the presentation layer are:

Presentation layer could apply certain sophisticated compression techniques, so fewer bytes of data are required to represent the information when it is sent over the network.
If two or more devices are communicating over an encrypted connection, then this presentation layer is responsible for adding encryption on the sender’s end as well as the decoding the encryption on the receiver’s end so that it can represent the application layer with unencrypted, readable data.
This layer formats and encrypts data to be sent over a network, providing freedom from compatibility problems.
This presentation layer also negotiates the Transfer Syntax.
This presentation layer is also responsible for compressing data it receives from the application layer before delivering it to the session layer (which is the 5th layer in the OSI model) and thus improves the speed as well as the efficiency of communication by minimizing the amount of the data to be transferred.

Working of Presentation Layer in the OSI model : Presentation layer in the OSI model, as a translator, converts the data sent by the application layer of the transmitting node into an acceptable and compatible data format based on the applicable network protocol and architecture. Upon arrival at the receiving computer, the presentation layer translates data into an acceptable format usable by the application layer. Basically, in other words, this layer takes care of any issues occurring when transmitted data must be viewed in a format different from the original format. Being the functional part of the OSI mode, the presentation layer performs a multitude (large number of) data conversion algorithms and character translation functions. Mainly, this layer is responsible for managing two network characteristics: protocol (set of rules) and architecture.

Presentation Layer Protocols : Presentation layer being the 6th layer, but the most important layer in the OSI model performs several types of functionalities, which makes sure that data which is being transferred or received should be accurate or clear to all the devices which are there in a closed network. Presentation Layer, for performing translations or other specified functions, needs to use certain protocols which are defined below –

Apple Filing Protocol (AFP): Apple Filing Protocol is the proprietary network protocol (communications protocol) that offers services to macOS or the classic macOS. This is basically the network file control protocol specifically designed for Mac-based platforms.
Lightweight Presentation Protocol (LPP): Lightweight Presentation Protocol is that protocol which is used to provide ISO presentation services on the top of TCP/IP based protocol stacks.
NetWare Core Protocol (NCP): NetWare Core Protocol is the network protocol which is used to access file, print, directory, clock synchronization, messaging, remote command execution and other network service functions.
Network Data Representation (NDR): Network Data Representation is basically the implementation of the presentation layer in the OSI model, which provides or defines various primitive data types, constructed data types and also several types of data representations.
External Data Representation (XDR): External Data Representation (XDR) is the standard for the description and encoding of data. It is useful for transferring data between computer architectures and has been used to communicate data between very diverse machines. Converting from local representation to XDR is called encoding, whereas converting XDR into local representation is called decoding.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL): The Secure Socket Layer protocol provides security to the data that is being transferred between the web browser and the server. SSL encrypts the link between a web server and a browser, which ensures that all data passed between them remains private and free from attacks.

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Understanding the Presentation Layer

Your data's makeover artist.

Hey there, network adventurers! Have you ever wondered how your computer turns complex data into something humans can understand, like images, texts, and videos? Welcome to the Presentation Layer, where data gets its final makeover before it gets to your apps. Let’s dive in and explore how this layer adds the finishing touches to your data!

The Presentation Layer acts like a translator and editor for your data. It’s responsible for translating, encrypting, and compressing data so that different applications can understand each other. Think of it as the stylist and bodyguard for your data—making sure it looks good and stays secure.

Different systems use different data formats, and this layer translates data into a standard format that both the sender and receiver can understand. It’s like converting a document from one language to another so everyone can read it.

Character Encoding: converts character between different formats, such as ASCII to Unicode, enduring text is readable acrossall systems.

Data Serialization: Formats data for storage or transmission, often using standards like JSON or XML.

This layer uses encoding schemes like UTF-8, which supports a wide range of characters, making it ideal for ideal for international communication.

To optimize the transmission of data, this layer compresses data to reduce its size. This is crucial for for speeding up data transfer, especially for media files. Think of it like vacuum-packing your clothes to fit more into your suitcase. Data compression is typically done in two forms:

Lossless Compression: Reduces file size without losing any data, perfect for text files.

Lossy Compression: Reduces file size by removing some data, often used for images and videos where slight quality loss is acceptable.

This layer uses compression algorithms like GZIP for lossless compression and JPEG for lossy compression, each suited for different types of data.

Security is a top priority, and the Presentation Layer ensures your data is protected during transmission by encrypting it. This is like sealing a letter in an envelope to keep its content private.

The Presentation Layer uses common encryption protocols like SSL/TLS , using a combination of public and private keys to secure communications and data over the internet, especially for web browsers. At the receiving end, data is decrypted to make it accessible for the application layer.

Practical Tips for the Presentation Layer.

Keep your Presentation Layer in top form with these tips:

Choose the Right Format: Ensure data is encoded in a format that both sender and receiver systems support.

Optimize Compression: Use the appropriate compression method based on your data type and transmission needs.

Enhance Security: Always encrypt sensitive data before transmission to protect it from unauthorized access.

Test Compatibility: Verify that data is properly translated and readable across different applications and platforms.

In essence, the Presentation Layer is the unsung hero that ensures your data is correctly formatted, secure, and efficient. Mastering this layer allows you to enhance performance and security in your network communications.

Ready for the grand finale? In our next article, we’ll explore the Application Layer, where data meets the user and applications come to life. Get ready to see hoe networking power your favorite apps.

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OSI model - What's the presentation and session layer for?

So I feel I pretty well understand the application layer, and everything below (and including) the transport layer.

The session and presentation layers, though, I don't fully understand. I've read the simplistic descriptions in Wikipedia, but it doesn't have an example of why separating out those layers is useful.

What is the session layer? What does it do, and under what circumstances is it better to have a session layer than simply talk to the transport with your app?
What is the presentation layer? (same questions as above)
network-programming

7 Answers 7

The session layer is meant to store states between two connections, like what we use cookies for when working with web programming.

The presentation layer is meant to convert between different formats. This was simpler when the only format that was worried about was character encoding, ie ASCII and EBCDIC. When you consider all of the different formats that we have today(Quicktime, Flash, Pdf) centralizing this layer is out of the question.

TCP/IP doesn't make any allocation to these layers, since they are really out of the scope of a networking protocol. It's up to the applications that take advantage of the stack to implement these.

The reasons there aren't any examples on wikipedia is that there aren't a whole lot of examples of the OSI network model, period.

OSI has once again created a standard nobody uses, so nobody really know how one should use it.

Layers 5-6 are not commonly used in today's web applications, so you don't hear much about them. The TCP/IP stack is slightly different than a pure OSI Model.

One of the reasons TCP/IP is used today instead of OSI is it was too bloated and theoretical, the session and presentation layer aren't really needed as separate layers as it turned out.

I think that presentation layer protocols define the format of data. This means protocols like XML or ASN.1. You could argue that video/audio codecs are part of the presentation layer Although this is probably heading towards the application layer.

I can't help you with the session layer. That has always baffled me.

To be honest, there are very vague boundaries in everything above the transport layer. This is because it is usually handled by a single software application. Also, these layers are not directly associated with transporting data from A to B. Layers 4 and below each have a very specific purpose in moving the data e.g. switching, routing, ensuring data integrity etc. This makes it easier to distinguish between these layers.

Presentation Layer The Presentation Layer represents the area that is independent of data representation at the application layer - in general, it represents the preparation or translation of application format to network format, or from network formatting to application format. In other words, the layer “presents” data for the application or the network. A good example of this is encryption and decryption of data for secure transmission - this happens at Layer 6.

Session Layer When two devices, computers or servers need to “speak” with one another, a session needs to be created, and this is done at the Session Layer. Functions at this layer involve setup, coordination (how long should a system wait for a response, for example) and termination between the applications at each end of the session.

For the presentation layer :because most of communication done between heterogeneous systems (Operating Systems,programing langages,cpu architectures)we need to use a unified idepedent specification .like ANS1 ans BRE.

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