Open systems architecture
Encyclopedia
Open systems architecture, in telecommunication
, is a standard that describes the layered hierarchical structure, configuration
, or model of a communications
or distributed data processing
system
that:
Open systems architecture may be implemented using the OSI Model
as a guide while designing the system
to meet performance requirements.
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
, is a standard that describes the layered hierarchical structure, configuration
Computer configuration
In communications or computer systems, a configuration is an arrangement of functional units according to their nature, number, and chief characteristics. Often, configuration pertains to the choice of hardware, software, firmware, and documentation...
, or model of a communications
Information transfer
In telecommunications, information transfer is the process of moving messages containing user information from a source to a sink.Note: The information transfer rate may or may not be equal to the transmission modulation rate.-See also:...
or distributed data processing
Data processing
Computer data processing is any process that a computer program does to enter data and summarise, analyse or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analysing, sorting, summarising, calculating, disseminating and...
system
System
System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....
that:
- Enables system description, design, development, installation, operation, improvement, and maintenance to be performed at a given layerAbstraction layerAn abstraction layer is a way of hiding the implementation details of a particular set of functionality...
or layers in the hierarchical structure - Allows each layer to provide a set of accessible functions that can be controlled and used by the functions in the layer above it
- Enables each layer to be implemented without affecting the implementation of other layers
- Allows the alteration of system performance by the modification of one or more layers without altering the existing equipment, procedures, and protocols at the remaining layers
Open systems architecture may be implemented using the OSI Model
OSI model
The Open Systems Interconnection model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection effort at the International Organization for Standardization. It is a prescription of characterizing and standardizing the functions of a communications system in terms of abstraction layers. Similar...
as a guide while designing the system
System
System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....
to meet performance requirements.
Examples of independent alterations
- Converting from wire to optical fibers at a physical layerPhysical layerThe physical layer or layer 1 is the first and lowest layer in the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. The implementation of this layer is often termed PHY....
without affecting the data link layerData link layerThe data link layer is layer 2 of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. It corresponds to, or is part of the link layer of the TCP/IP reference model....
or the network layerNetwork layerThe network layer is layer 3 of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking.The network layer is responsible for packet forwarding including routing through intermediate routers, whereas the data link layer is responsible for media access control, flow control and error checking.The network...
except to provide more traffic capacityThroughputIn communication networks, such as Ethernet or packet radio, throughput or network throughput is the average rate of successful message delivery over a communication channel. This data may be delivered over a physical or logical link, or pass through a certain network node... - Altering the operational protocols at the networkTelecommunications networkA telecommunications network is a collection of terminals, links and nodes which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals. Networks may use circuit switching or message switching. Each terminal in the network must have a unique address so messages or connections...
level without altering the physical layer