Glossary: What is the Application Layer in Networking?

Application Layer

What is the Application Layer in Networking? The application layer is the topmost layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, where user interactions with network services occur. It provides the interface for applications to access network resources and communicate effectively.

Explanation

This layer is responsible for supporting applications like email, file transfers, and web browsing by managing protocols such as HTTP, FTP, and SMTP. It translates user inputs into network requests and delivers responses back to users.

Practical Example of the Application Layer

When you access a website, the application layer uses the HTTP protocol to send a request to the server, which then retrieves the page and displays it on your browser.