What is the main role of the Session Layer in the OSI model?

Question

Accepted Answer

Establish, manage, and terminate sessions - The Session Layer is the fifth layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. Its main job is to establish, manage, and terminate sessions between two communicating devices.

A session is a connection or dialog that allows data to be exchanged between systems. For example, when you log into a website or open a chat with someone, a session is created. The session layer keeps track of the dialog and ensures it runs smoothly.

It also manages who can transmit data at a given time if both sides try to communicate simultaneously. This prevents confusion and ensures that the conversation stays organized.

Main responsibilities of the Session Layer:

Establishes a connection (session) between devices.
Maintains and manages communication during the session.
Terminates the session once communication is complete.
Synchronizes communication using checkpoints to recover from errors if needed.


Conclusion: The correct answer is Establish, manage, and terminate sessions. The Session Layer is essential in keeping communication structured, especially in applications like video conferencing, remote logins, and online meetings. Understanding this role is helpful for networking basics and interview preparation.

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