OSI Layer 7 – Application

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Layer 7 is the Application layer.

• application layer protocol doesn’t encapsulate any other protocols or provide services to any protocol
• they provide an interface for software programs on network hosts that have established a communications channel through the lower-level protocols to exchange data
• provide most of the services that make a network useful, rather than just functional
  • e.g., web browsing, email communication, directory lookup, remote printing, etc.