Imran Hasan
Building a Multi-layer Application using Node.js - A Simulation of the OSI Model

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Building a Multi-layer Application using Node.js - A Simulation of the OSI Model

Imran Hasan's photo
Imran Hasan
·

10 min read

Introduction:

Networks are an integral part of our lives, connecting us to the world and enabling us to communicate and access information from anywhere. To understand how networks work and how data is transmitted between different devices, it is important to know the different layers of communication in a network. The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model provides a standard framework for communication between different systems in a network.

In this article, we will build a multi-layer application using Node.js to simulate the functionality of the seven layers of the OSI Model. This article will cover the following topics:

  1. Understanding the OSI Model and its Layers

  2. Setting up the Development Environment

  3. Building the Physical Layer

  4. Building the Data Link Layer

  5. Building the Network Layer

  6. Building the Transport Layer

  7. Building the Session Layer

  8. Building the Presentation Layer

  9. Building the Application Layer

  10. Testing the Multi-layer Application

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the OSI Model and how it can be applied to build network-based applications.

  1. Physical Layer: This layer is responsible for transmitting raw bits over a communication channel. In our app, we can simulate this by sending a message from one end to another.
// Physical Layer
const net = require('net');

const server = net.createServer((socket) => {
  socket.on('data', (data) => {
    console.log(`Received message from client: ${data.toString()}`);
  });

  socket.write('Welcome to the Physical Layer!');
});

server.listen(8000, () => {
  console.log('Physical Layer listening on port 8000!');
});
  1. Data Link Layer: This layer is responsible for providing reliable transmission of data frames over a physical network. In our app, we can add error detection and correction to ensure that data is transmitted accurately.
// Data Link Layer
const crc = require('crc');

const server = net.createServer((socket) => {
  socket.on('data', (data) => {
    const message = data.toString();
    const checksum = crc.crc32(message).toString(16);

    console.log(`Received message from Physical Layer: ${message}`);
    console.log(`Generated checksum: ${checksum}`);
    console.log(`Checking message integrity...`);

    if (checksum === message.split(':')[0]) {
      console.log(`Message is intact.`);
      console.log(`Delivering message to Network Layer: ${message.split(':')[1]}`);
    } else {
      console.log(`Message is corrupted.`);
    }
  });

  socket.write('Checksum:1234567890:Welcome to the Data Link Layer!');
});

server.listen(8001, () => {
  console.log('Data Link Layer listening on port 8001!');
});
  1. Network Layer: This layer is responsible for routing and forwarding data packets to their destination. In our app, we can add routing functionality to route the data packets to their destination.
// Network Layer
const router = require('./router');

const server = net.createServer((socket) => {
  socket.on('data', (data) => {
    const message = data.toString();

    console.log(`Received message from Data Link Layer: ${message}`);
    console.log(`Routing message to its destination...`);

    const destination = router.route(message);
    console.log(`Destination: ${destination}`);
    console.log(`Delivering message to Transport Layer...`);
  });
});

server.listen(8002, () => {
  console.log('Network Layer listening on port 8002!');
});
  1. Transport Layer: This layer is responsible for ensuring reliable end-to-end communication between applications. In our app, we can add flow control and error checking to ensure reliable communication.
// Transport Layer
const server = net.createServer((socket) => {
  socket.on('data',(data) => { const message = data.toString();
javascriptCopy codeconsole.log(`Received message from Network Layer: ${message}`);
console.log(`Checking message integrity...`);

if (message.split(':')[0] === 'ACK') {
  console.log(`Message is intact.`);
  console.log(`Delivering message to Session Layer: ${message.split(':')[1]}`);
} else {
  console.log(`Message is corrupted.`);
}


});

socket.write('ACK:Welcome to the Transport Layer!'); });

server.listen(8003, () => { console.log('Transport Layer listening on port 8003!'); });

5. Session Layer: This layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating communication sessions between applications. In our app, we can add session management functionality to manage communication sessions.

 // Session Layer 
const server = net.createServer((socket) => { socket.on('data', (data) => { const message = data.toString();
console.log(`Received message from Transport Layer: ${message}`);
console.log(`Establishing communication session...`);

console.log(`Delivering message to Presentation Layer...`);
});

socket.write('Welcome to the Session Layer!'); });

server.listen(8004, () => { console.log('Session Layer listening on port 8004!'); });

6. Presentation Layer: This layer is responsible for formatting and converting data to be transmitted over the network. In our app, we can add data formatting functionality to format the data before it is transmitted.

// Presentation Layer 

const server = net.createServer((socket) => { socket.on('data', (data) => { const message = data.toString();
javascriptCopy codeconsole.log(`Received message from Session Layer: ${message}`);
console.log(`Formatting message...`);

const formattedMessage = `<message>${message}</message>`;
console.log(`Delivering message to Application Layer: ${formattedMessage}`);
});

socket.write('Welcome to the Presentation Layer!'); });
server.listen(8005, () => { console.log('Presentation Layer listening on port 8005!'); });

7. Application Layer: This layer provides services to the user and is responsible for handling user requests. In our app, we can add functionality to handle user requests and respond to them.

// Application Layer 
const server = net.createServer((socket) => { socket.on('data', (data) => { const message = data.toString();
console.log(`Received message from Presentation Layer: ${message}`);
console.log(`Handling user request...`);

const response = `<response>Your request has been handled!</response>`;
console.log(`Sending response to user: ${response}`);
socket.write(response);
});

socket.write('Welcome to the Application Layer!'); });

server.listen(8006
  1. Understanding the OSI Model and its Layers:

The OSI Model is a conceptual framework for understanding the communication process in a network. It is comprised of seven layers, each of which performs a specific function and is responsible for a different aspect of the communication process. These seven layers are:

  • Physical Layer

  • Data Link Layer

  • Network Layer

  • Transport Layer

  • Session Layer

  • Presentation Layer

  • Application Layer

In this section, we will briefly describe each layer and its function in the communication process.

  1. Setting up the Development Environment:

In this section, we will set up the development environment for our Node.js application. This will include installing Node.js, creating a project directory, and installing the required dependencies.

  1. Building the Physical Layer:

The Physical Layer is the first layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for transmitting the data bits over a physical medium. In this section, we will implement the Physical Layer by creating a simple simulation of data transmission over a network cable.

  1. Building the Data Link Layer:

The Data Link Layer is responsible for transmitting the data frames over the physical medium. In this section, we will implement the Data Link Layer by adding the functionality of error detection and correction to our simulation.

  1. Building the Network Layer:

The Network Layer is responsible for transmitting the data packets from one network to another. In this section, we will implement the Network Layer by adding the functionality of routing and addressing to our simulation.

  1. Building the Transport Layer:

The Transport Layer is responsible for ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission between devices. In this section, we will implement the Transport Layer by adding the functionality of flow control and error checking to our simulation.

  1. Building the Session Layer:

The Session Layer is responsible for establishing and maintaining communication sessions between devices. In this section, we will implement the Session Layer by adding the functionality of session initiation and termination to our simulation.

  1. Building the Presentation Layer:

The Presentation Layer is responsible for formatting and encoding data for transmission. In this section, we will implement the Presentation Layer by adding the functionality of data compression and encryption to our simulation.

  1. Building the Application Layer:

The Application Layer is the top layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for providing services to the end-user applications. In this section, we will implement the Application Layer by adding a simple user interface to our simulation.

  1. Testing the Multi-layer Application:

In this final section, we will test our multi-layer application to ensure that all the layers are functioning as expected. We will also demonstrate how the different layers interact with each other to transmit data between devices in a network.

  1. Physical Layer:

The Physical Layer is the first layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for transmitting the data bits over a physical medium. This layer is concerned with the physical transmission of data, including the electrical and mechanical specifications for the transmission medium and the signal characteristics.

The Physical Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Transmitting the data bits over the physical medium

  • Defining the electrical and mechanical specifications for the transmission medium

  • Specifying the signal characteristics for data transmission

  1. Data Link Layer:

The Data Link Layer is the second layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for transmitting the data frames over the physical medium. This layer is responsible for providing reliable data transmission over the network, including error detection and correction.

The Data Link Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Breaking down the data into manageable data frames

  • Adding error detection and correction information to the data frames

  • Transmitting the data frames over the physical medium

  1. Network Layer:

The Network Layer is the third layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for transmitting the data packets from one network to another. This layer is responsible for routing the data packets to their destination, including addressing and routing decisions.

The Network Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Breaking down the data into data packets

  • Adding addressing information to the data packets

  • Routing the data packets to their destination

  • Ensuring that the data packets are transmitted reliably from one network to another

  1. Transport Layer:

The Transport Layer is the fourth layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for ensuring reliable and efficient data transmission between devices. This layer is responsible for flow control, error checking, and ensuring that data is transmitted in the correct order.

The Transport Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Ensuring that the data is transmitted reliably from one device to another

  • Implementing flow control to prevent data overflow

  • Checking for errors in the transmitted data

  • Reassembling the data in the correct order at the receiving device

  1. Session Layer:

The Session Layer is the fifth layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for establishing and maintaining communication sessions between devices. This layer is responsible for session initiation and termination, as well as ensuring that data is transmitted in the correct sequence.

The Session Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Establishing and maintaining communication sessions between devices

  • Initiating and terminating communication sessions

  • Ensuring that the data is transmitted in the correct sequence

  1. Presentation Layer:

The Presentation Layer is the sixth layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for formatting and encoding data for transmission. This layer is responsible for data compression, encryption, and decryption, as well as converting data from one format to another.

The Presentation Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Formatting and encoding the data for transmission

  • Compressing the data to reduce its size

  • Encrypting and decrypting the data for security

  • Converting the data from one format to another

  1. Application Layer:

The Application Layer is the top layer of the OSI Model and is responsible for providing services to the end-user applications. This layer is responsible for allowing applications to communicate with each other, as well as providing the interface between the applications and the network.

The Application Layer is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Providing services to end-user applications

  • Allowing applications to communicate with each other

  • Providing the interface between the applications and the network.

Conclusion:

The OSI Model is a critical component of computer networks, providing a standardized framework for communication between devices. By dividing the communication process into seven layers, the OSI Model ensures that data is transmitted reliably and efficiently, from the physical transmission of data bits to the provision of services to end-user applications.

Each layer of the OSI Model performs a specific set of tasks, from error detection and correction at the Data Link Layer to data compression and encryption at the Presentation Layer. Understanding the OSI Model is essential for network architects, administrators, and engineers, as it provides a common language and framework for designing, deploying, and maintaining computer networks.

In conclusion, the OSI Model is a fundamental concept in computer networks, and its principles are essential for the successful operation and maintenance of networks. Whether you are designing a new network or troubleshooting an existing one, understanding the OSI Model is an important step towards building reliable and efficient computer networks.

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