OSI

OSI

(networking)

Open Systems Interconnection.

OSI

(2)

Open Source Initiative.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

OSI

(1) See Open Source Initiative.

(2) (Open System Interconnection) An ISO standard for worldwide communications that defines a protocol framework in seven layers. OSI functionality exists in all communications systems, although two or three layers may be incorporated into one (see OSI model). Control is passed from the top application layer to the bottom layer, out over the network to the bottom layer of the receiving station and back up to the application layer.

Never Completely Defined
OSI was too loosely defined to become a single standard. Nevertheless, the model serves to teach communications, and TCP/IP, the global networking standard, embodies most of the OSI layers (for a comparison, see TCP/IP).

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.