Computer Networking – OSI Model

Here are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model with answers:


Table of Contents

OSI Model MCQs

1. How many layers are there in the OSI model?

a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
d) 8
Answer: c) 7


2. Which layer of the OSI model is responsible for physical addressing?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: b) Data Link


3. The Network layer of the OSI model is responsible for:

a) Error detection
b) Logical addressing and routing
c) Data encryption
d) Session management
Answer: b) Logical addressing and routing


4. Which layer ensures end-to-end communication and error recovery?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Session
d) Application
Answer: a) Transport


5. The Physical layer deals with:

a) Data packets
b) Bits transmission
c) MAC addresses
d) IP addresses
Answer: b) Bits transmission


6. Which layer is responsible for establishing, managing, and terminating sessions?

a) Session
b) Presentation
c) Transport
d) Application
Answer: a) Session


7. The Presentation layer is responsible for:

a) Data compression and encryption
b) Routing
c) Flow control
d) Physical connections
Answer: a) Data compression and encryption

8. Which layer interacts directly with the end user?

a) Application
b) Presentation
c) Session
d) Transport
Answer: a) Application


9. HTTP, FTP, and SMTP operate at which layer?

a) Network
b) Transport
c) Application
d) Session
Answer: c) Application


10. Which layer converts data into a format understandable by the receiver?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Presentation
d) Transport
Answer: c) Presentation


11. The Data Link layer is divided into two sublayers:

a) MAC and LLC
b) TCP and UDP
c) IP and ICMP
d) HTTP and FTP
Answer: a) MAC and LLC


12. Which device operates at the Network layer?

a) Hub
b) Switch
c) Router
d) Repeater
Answer: c) Router


13. Which protocol operates at the Transport layer?

a) IP
b) ARP
c) TCP
d) HTTP
Answer: c) TCP


14. Which layer uses port numbers?

a) Network
b) Transport
c) Data Link
d) Physical
Answer: b) Transport


15. What is the main function of the Session layer?

a) Data encryption
b) Dialog control
c) Error detection
d) Packet routing
Answer: b) Dialog control


16. Which layer is responsible for flow control?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Data Link
d) Both a & c
Answer: d) Both a & c


17. Which OSI layer handles logical addressing (IP addresses)?

a) Data Link
b) Network
c) Transport
d) Session
Answer: b) Network


18. Which device operates at the Physical layer?

a) Switch
b) Router
c) Hub
d) Bridge
Answer: c) Hub


19. Which layer is responsible for framing?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: b) Data Link


20. What is the PDU (Protocol Data Unit) of the Transport layer?

a) Frame
b) Packet
c) Segment
d) Bit
Answer: c) Segment


21. The PDU of the Network layer is called:

a) Frame
b) Packet
c) Segment
d) Bit
Answer: b) Packet


22. Which layer is responsible for MAC addressing?

a) Network
b) Data Link
c) Physical
d) Transport
Answer: b) Data Link


23. Which layer ensures reliable data transmission?

a) Physical
b) Transport
c) Network
d) Session
Answer: b) Transport


24. Which of the following is not an OSI layer?

a) Internet
b) Presentation
c) Session
d) Application
Answer: a) Internet


25. The OSI model was developed by:

a) IEEE
b) ISO
c) ANSI
d) IETF
Answer: b) ISO


26. Which layer provides services like file transfer and email?

a) Application
b) Presentation
c) Session
d) Transport
Answer: a) Application


27. Which layer handles error detection and retransmission?

a) Data Link
b) Transport
c) Both a & b
d) Network
Answer: c) Both a & b


28. Which layer deals with cables, connectors, and signals?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: a) Physical


29. Which protocol operates at the Application layer?

a) IP
b) TCP
c) FTP
d) ARP
Answer: c) FTP


30. Which layer is responsible for converting data into bits?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: a) Physical


31. Which layer ensures that data is delivered error-free and in sequence?

a) Network
b) Transport
c) Data Link
d) Session
Answer: b) Transport


32. Which layer manages device authentication?

a) Application
b) Session
c) Presentation
d) Transport
Answer: a) Application


33. Which layer is responsible for data segmentation?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Data Link
d) Physical
Answer: a) Transport


34. Which layer is responsible for signal modulation?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: a) Physical


35. Which layer provides logical communication between hosts?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Data Link
d) Session
Answer: a) Transport


36. Which layer is responsible for congestion control?

a) Network
b) Transport
c) Data Link
d) Session
Answer: b) Transport


37. Which layer adds headers and trailers to data?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: b) Data Link


38. Which layer is responsible for multiplexing and demultiplexing?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Session
d) Application
Answer: a) Transport


39. Which layer is closest to the user?

a) Physical
b) Application
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: b) Application


40. Which layer is responsible for synchronization?

a) Session
b) Transport
c) Presentation
d) Application
Answer: a) Session


41. Which layer is responsible for translating between different data formats?

a) Presentation
b) Application
c) Session
d) Transport
Answer: a) Presentation


42. Which layer controls the transmission of raw bits over a medium?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: a) Physical


43. Which layer ensures that data is readable by the receiving system?

a) Presentation
b) Application
c) Session
d) Transport
Answer: a) Presentation


44. Which layer is responsible for VLANs?

a) Data Link
b) Network
c) Transport
d) Session
Answer: a) Data Link


45. Which layer uses checksums for error detection?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Data Link
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above


46. Which layer is responsible for logical topology?

a) Data Link
b) Network
c) Physical
d) Transport
Answer: a) Data Link


47. Which layer is responsible for path determination?

a) Network
b) Transport
c) Data Link
d) Physical
Answer: a) Network


48. Which layer is responsible for NIC (Network Interface Card) operations?

a) Physical
b) Data Link
c) Network
d) Transport
Answer: b) Data Link


49. Which layer is responsible for SYN, ACK, and FIN flags?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Session
d) Application
Answer: a) Transport


50. Which layer is responsible for QoS (Quality of Service)?

a) Transport
b) Network
c) Data Link
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above


These MCQs cover fundamental concepts of the OSI Model and can be used for exams, quizzes, or interviews. Let me know if you need explanations for any question!