The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model was developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in 1983 to provide a conceptual model on which networks could be based. In the process of developing this framework, the ISO established a vocabulary that assisted engineers worldwide by giving them a common set of words to use to describe concepts they already understood and took for granted. The OSI model divides communications functions into seven layers. These layers aid in envisioning the structure of communications between applications and users on a network.