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Open Systems Interconnection

nounid 3436·updated Aug 30, 2026
verified· unreviewed

OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a standard description or "reference model" for how messages should be transmitted between any two points in a telecommunication network. Its purpose is to guide product implementers so that their products will consistently work with other products. The reference model defines seven layers of functions that take place at each end of a communication. Although OSI is not always strictly adhered to in terms of keeping related functions together in a well-defined layer, many if not most products involved in telecommunication make an attempt to describe themselves in relation to the OSI model. It is also valuable as a single reference view of communication that furnishes everyone a common ground for education and discussion.

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Classifications

Entity Type

Framework0%rule-basedmulti_axis_classifier_low_confidence.v1

Sensitivity

85%llm-generatedllm:claude-haiku-4-5

Information Class

90%llm-generatedllm:claude-haiku-4-5

Variants

acronym
OSI
plural
Open Systems Interconnections
possessive
Open Systems Interconnection's
pluralpossessive
Open Systems Interconnections'

Framework definitions

SANS Glossary of Security Terms1 senseview framework →
§1
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a standard description or "reference model" for how messages should be transmitted between any two points in a telecommunication network. Its purpose is to guide product implementers so that their products will consistently work with other products. The reference model defines seven layers of functions that take place at each end of a communication. Although OSI is not always strictly adhered to in terms of keeping related functions together in a well-defined layer, many if not most products involved in telecommunication make an attempt to describe themselves in relation to the OSI model. It is also valuable as a single reference view of communication that furnishes everyone a common ground for education and discussion.
Legacy lexicon import1 senseview framework →
§1 · legacy_primary
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a standard description or "reference model" for how messages should be transmitted between any two points in a telecommunication network. Its purpose is to guide product implementers so that their products will consistently work with other products. The reference model defines seven layers of functions that take place at each end of a communication. Although OSI is not always strictly adhered to in terms of keeping related functions together in a well-defined layer, many if not most products involved in telecommunication make an attempt to describe themselves in relation to the OSI model. It is also valuable as a single reference view of communication that furnishes everyone a common ground for education and discussion.
DR-088 backfill from the noun definition column

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