Elements of Layered Architecture
There are three different types of elements of a layered architecture. They are described below:
- Service: Service is defined as a set of functions and tasks being provided by a lower layer to a higher layer. Each layer performs a different type of task. Therefore, actions provided by each layer are different.
- Protocol: Protocol is defined as a set rule used by the layer for exchanging and transmission of data with its peer entities. These rules can consists details regarding a type of content and their order passed from one layer to another.
- Interface: Interface is defined as a channel that allows to transmit the messages from one layer to the another.
Layered Architecture in Computer Networks
Every network consists of a specific number of functions, layers, and tasks to perform. Layered Architecture in a computer network is defined as a model where a whole network process is divided into various smaller sub-tasks. These divided sub-tasks are then assigned to a specific layer to perform only the dedicated tasks. A single layer performs only a specific type of task. To run the application and provide all types of services to clients a lower layer adds its services to the higher layer present above it. Therefore layered architecture provides interactions between the sub-systems. If any type of modification is done in one layer it does not affect the next layer.
Layered Architecture
As shown in the above diagram, there are five different layers. Therefore, it is a five-layered architecture. Each layer performs a dedicated task. The lower-level data for example from layer 1 data is transferred to layer 2. Below all the layers Physical Medium is present. The physical medium is responsible for the actual communication to take place. For the transfer of data and communication layered architecture provides with a clean cut interface.