Comparison of TCP/IP and OSI Suite

Network uses a combination of hardware and software to send data from one location to another. We can compare the task of networking to the task of solving a mathematics problem with computer. The main job of solving the problem is done by computer hardware. This task will become more tedious if we try to solve the problem only through hardware. The task will become easier if the software is in existence. The problem can be solved by breaking the problem into modules and following a strategy. This is similar to the task of sending an email from one point to another in the sense that it can be broken into many tasks. Each task is performed by separate software packages. Each piece of software uses the service of another software package.

"ISO" is the organization which brings two software packages: OSI and TCP/IP. Here iso stands for international standard organization and osi stands for open system network and TCP/IP stands for transmission control protocol/ internet protocol. TCP/IP comes into existence before OSI model. OSI is a seven layer model where protocols are mainly depends on layers where the TCP/IP is based on protocols not a layer based model. The difference between OSI and TCP/IP suit are:

· The TCP/IP protocol suite comes prior to the OSI model. Iso first introduce the idea of TCP/IP suite. After some time the idea of OI model comes into existence. So the TCP/IP suite is older than OSI model.

· The TCP/IP suite is based on protocols whereas the OSI model is layer based model.

· TCP/IP suite based on protocols. It means that the model is created on the basis of protocol. If any network is needed to set up then first the protocols of that system are selected and on the basis of these protocols the layers are created. So, this model is simply a protocols based model.

· The OSI model is based on layers. The system is set up on the basis of layers. Protocols are selected on the basis of requirement for the system for which we want to set up the network.

· Both the models are based on the concept of stack of independent protocols.

· Another difference is in the communication. The OSI model supports both connectionless and connection oriented communication in the network layer, but only connection oriented communication in the transport layer, where it counts. The TCP/IP suite has only connectionless mode in network layer, but supports both connectionless and connection oriented communication in the transport layer, so user can have choice.

· The TCP/IP model can't distinguish between service, interface and protocols.

· OSI model have seven layers whereas the TCP/IP suite have only five layers. The above three layers are combined together and works like a single layer in the TCP/IP suite.