Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!dali.cs.montana.edu!milton!ski2
From: ski2@milton.u.washington.edu (Chris Kacoroski)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.iso
Subject: Question on the OSI 7 layer model?
Summary: Does OSI model translate message contents or...
Message-ID: <9905@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 25 Oct 90 13:59:07 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 22

Hi,

I have two references on the OSI 7 layer model that disagree on what
the model does in the applications layer.  The analogy is that of
sending a letter from the US to Germany.  Reference 1 from 1987 states
that the OSI model will not only send the letter but will also
translate its contents from English to German.  Reference 2 from 1989
states that the OSI model will only send the letter and not affect the
contents at all.  The method in reference 2 is akin to the current
postal system.  My question is: Which reference is correct?  

Also, how does the MAP/TOP effort deal with the above problem.  Does
MMS actually modify the contents of the letter or only guarantee the
arrival of the letter at a destination?  

Thank you for you help


-- 
Chris		    "When we try to pick out anything by itself
  'ski-'             we find it connected to the entire universe"
     Kacoroski					John Muir
ski2@u.washington.edu