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Networking Fundamentals · Foundational

Presentation Layer (L6)

OSI Layer 6, which translates, formats, compresses and encrypts data so the receiving application can read it.

Definition

The Presentation layer handles data representation such as character encoding (ASCII, Unicode), file formats (JPEG, MPEG) and compression. Encryption and decryption are traditionally placed here in the OSI model. Like the Session layer, it is merged into the Application layer of the TCP/IP model.

Example

Converting text from EBCDIC to ASCII is a Presentation-layer translation task.

Exam tip

If a question asks which layer handles encryption, compression or format translation, the textbook answer is Layer 6.

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