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The OSI model manages data flow in a computer network. The MAC layer is part of the data link layer and ensures efficient data collection and transmission to the correct hardware.
The MAC layer is a section of the OSI networking model. The OSI model manages data sent to and received from network access hardware within a computer or other network-capable device. The network model is a diagram that shows how data flows from the user of one PC through the model to the user interface of another PC.
The OSI model and its MAC layer are best explained through an example:
Let’s say computer user Fred is sitting at his computer and wants to share a photo with another computer user, Grandma. Fred opens his email and attaches the photo, sending it to his grandmother without delay. When the message arrives, Gran sees the photo Fred sent.
On the computer, transactions between one or more users take very little time, but the process by which these transactions get data to its destination is a bit more complex.
When Fred sends the email to his grandmother containing the photo, it travels the following path to reach the connection between Fred and its destination, upon arrival, the data packet travels the same path in reverse order to display a message e- mail and a photo to Nonna.
the application layer, the first layer in the OSI process, moves data from the user to the computer to be transmitted.
The presentation layer encrypts the data, converting it into a format that the other layers in the transmission stack can understand. The session layer coordinates communications. Applications on a computer are managed here. Communication between the application layer at both ends of a transmission is initiated and terminated at the session layer.
Note: There are seven layers within the OSI model and the MAC layer is deep within the process. The discussion includes the other layers to show where the MAC layer fits into the stack and how it contributes to data transmission.
The transport layer is responsible for completing the transmission, data flow, and error recovery. The Network layer handles the routing and switching of packets using IP addresses.
The data link layer handles the splitting of data packets into bits to be sent over the physical layer. This layer is where the MAC layer resides, ensuring that data sent through one piece of networking hardware gets to the correct hardware on the other side and any response data is returned to the appropriate location. The data is also collected here and he receives the necessary authorization to send the photo to his grandmother.
The physical layer is where the actual hardware, ethernet cables, wireless radios, network cards, and interaction is handled to send data via electrical pulses, light signals, or radios. This layer, at the bottom of the stack, actually transmits the data.
When the sent photo arrives at Grandma’s computer, it travels back up the stack from the physical layer to the application layer, being reconstructed from the raw bits and bytes in the photo originally sent by Fred.
The MAC layer plays an important role in any data exchanged between two computer systems, ensuring that the data is collected efficiently and passes to the physical layer to be sent to its intended recipient.
