The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a standard developed by the ISO (International Standards Organization) to describe the flow of data on a computer network. The model takes into account the flow of data from the physical connections up to the end user application.

The TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a combined set of protocols that performs the transfer of data between two computers. TCP monitors and ensures correct transfer of data. IP receives the data from TCP, breaks it up into packets, and ships it off to a network within the Internet. TCP/IP is also used as a name for a protocol suite that incorporates these functions and others. It is the most widely used communication standard which defines how data can be transmitted in a secure manner between networks.