🌐 OSI vs TCP/IP Model Visual Simulator

Features

• Interactive Layers: Click on any layer to view its functions, protocols, and responsibilities
• Data Flow Animation: Click "Start Transmission" to see data flow through layers
• Encapsulation: Watch data get encapsulated with headers at each layer (sender side)
• Decapsulation: Watch data get decapsulated with headers removed (receiver side)
• Layer Highlighting: Active layers are highlighted during transmission
• Protocol Information: See all common protocols used at each layer

OSI Model (7 Layers)

The Open Systems Interconnection model provides a reference framework for network communication:

• Application (7): User applications and services
• Presentation (6): Data formatting and encryption
• Session (5): Connection management
• Transport (4): End-to-end communication (TCP, UDP)
• Network (3): Routing and IP addressing
• Data Link (2): MAC addressing and framing
• Physical (1): Bit transmission and media

TCP/IP Model (4 Layers)

The practical internet model used in real networks:

• Application: Maps to OSI layers 7, 6, 5
• Transport: Maps to OSI layer 4
• Internet: Maps to OSI layer 3
• Link: Maps to OSI layers 2, 1

Data Encapsulation

Shows how data is wrapped with headers as it moves down layers:

Data Decapsulation

Shows how headers are removed as data moves up layers: