You may be studying for a networking exam, and a question about the OSI model pops up. Or you’re diagnosing a networking problem, and you need to think about the layers of the OSI reference model. It’s a common frustration among students and professionals in networking. If only someone out there could think of a good OSI model mnemonic…
The good news is we’ve compiled a list of OSI model acronyms to make the OSI reference model stick in your mind like superglue, and, better still, you have a choice of which OSI mnemonic to use and reuse in your studies or at work.
Download this list of acronyms here. When you’re ready, let’s scroll down.
What Is the OSI Reference Model?
The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a way to represent how devices communicate with one another. It consists of seven layers:
- Physical layer
- Data link layer
- Network layer
- Transport layer
- Session layer
- Presentation layer
- Application layer
You receive data from layers 1 through 7, and data transfer occurs in the opposite direction. That’s because every layer of the OSI Model handles a specific job and passes data to and from the layers above and below itself. For example, the data link layer is responsible for media access control and logical link control.
Although building computing devices doesn’t require the OSI model, it’s proven helpful in troubleshooting computer networking problems. That’s because the OSI model gives technicians an in-depth method to dissect the network problem to find its root cause. The solution often becomes clear by narrowing it down to a specific model layer.
Learn more about the OSI model with our cheat sheet here.
Table Of Contents
- What Is the OSI Reference Model?
- OSI Layers
- How to Remember the Layers
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
OSI Layers
The infographic below summarizes the seven layers of the OSI reference model. If you need a quick refresher, this is the image to download.
How to Remember the Layers
This section has two subsections: OSI model acronyms from the physical layer to the application layer and in the reverse direction. The more ridiculous the mnemonic appears, the more memorable it becomes.
| Physical → Application |
|---|
| Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away |
| Play Dough Nunchucks To Smash Antiques |
| Pete Doesn’t Need To Sell Pickles Anymore |
| Piper Doesn’t Need To Sell Pepper Anymore |
| Parents Definitely Need To Solve Problems Always |
| Public Discourse Nonsense That Suave Pranksters Appreciate |
| People, Do Not Teach Smart People Acronyms |
| Application → Physical |
|---|
| All People Seem To Need Data Processing |
| All Pros Search Top Notch Donut Places |
| Alotta Pros Solve The Nation’s Digital Problems |
| A Penguin Said That Nobody Drinks Pepsi |
| A Priest Saw Two Nuns Doing Pushups |
| Atypical Problems Swarm This New Digital Platform |
| All Prudent Students Take Notes During Picnics |
Receiving Data: Physical Layer → Application Layer
The physical layer, data link layer, network layer, and so on, up to the application layer, is the direction you receive data in a computer network. Hence, the OSI mnemonic takes the form P-D-N-T-S-P-A.
- Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away
- This absurd acronym is popular because of the mismatch between the formal phrasing of “please do not” and the casualness of a pizza.
- Play Dough Nunchucks To Smash Antiques
- We tamed a mnemonic with the potential for violence, thanks to the nature of playdough.
- Pete Doesn’t Need To Sell Pickles Anymore
- Adapted from the tongue twisters “Peter picked a peck of pickled pepper…” and “She sells sea shells on the sea shore.”
- Piper Doesn’t Need To Sell Pepper Anymore
- Same as above.
- Parents Definitely Need To Solve Problems Always
- This acronym is for the moms and dads out there.
- You can replace “Parents” with Presidents, Pastors, Priests, Professionals, Possums, and any other plural noun beginning with P.
- Public Discourse Nonsense That Suave Pranksters Appreciate
- This acronym is for those who read/watch the news by habit.
- People, Do Not Teach Smart People Acronyms
- The reason is smart people can come up with their own.
You may also construct mnemonics where D-N-T could be the words “do not” followed by a verb beginning with T, the phrase “doesn’t need to,” or an inside joke. The possibilities are endless.
Transmit Data: Application Layer → Physical Layer
The application layer, presentation layer, session layer, and so on, down to the physical layer, is the direction you send data in a computer network. Hence, the OSI mnemonic takes the form A-P-S-T-N-D-P.
- All People Seem To Need Data Processing
- This data-related mnemonic is the most popular acronym for serious students who want acronyms to match the description of the OSI model.
- All Pros Search Top Notch Donut Places
- Why donuts? Why not something else?
- Alotta Pros Solve The Nation’s Digital Problems
- Experts are indeed a major driving force in technological innovation.
- “Alotta” is an informal contraction of “A lot of.”
- A Penguin Said That Nobody Drinks Pepsi
- Another ridiculously memorable mnemonic because, as we all know, the penguin who said this loves Pepsi.
- A Priest Saw Two Nuns Doing Pushups
- Such a headline might appear on a religious satire website.
- Atypical Problems Swarm This New Digital Platform
- You might find similar headlines on popular technology news sites.
- All Prudent Students Take Notes During Picnics
- Never stop learning, eh?
Try coming up with your own OSI acronym in either direction. Apart from having a personalized memorization device, you might find the process entertaining and your motivation for studying the OSI model heightened.
Conclusion
We hope this list of OSI model acronyms helps you study for your examinations and work in networking in a light and fun way as a professional. For more resources on networking, check out our articles and courses on the subject, and remember to leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the OSI Reference Model used?
We use the OSI reference model when troubleshooting networking problems. That’s why it’s on the exam syllabi for Network+, CCNA, the Juniper Networks Certification Program, and other networking credentials. Check out our OSI model cheat sheet for more details.
Why should I learn the OSI Model?
It’s an essential tool for anyone who wants to get into an IT technician position or gain networking credentials. The OSI reference model gives technicians an in-depth method to dissect the network problem to find its root cause. You can often pinpoint the solution to an issue after narrowing it down to a specific model layer.
What is a Layer Two Tunneling Protocol?
A Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) connects your device and a virtual private network (VPN) server. As L2TP has poor security, VPNs pair up L2TP and IPsec (Internet Protocol Security protocol), which encrypts and controls L2TP packets sent and received.
What OSI Layer does a router sit on?
A router sits on layer 3 (Network) because it’s like a postman specializing in IP addresses, which the Network layer handles.
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Cassandra Lee Cassandra is a writer, artist, musician, and technologist who makes connections across disciplines: cyber security, writing/journalism, art/design, music, mathematics, technology, education, psychology, and more. She's been a vocal advocate for girls and women in STEM since the 2010s, having written for Huffington Post, International Mathematical Olympiad 2016, and Ada Lovelace Day, and she's honored to join StationX. You can find Cassandra on LinkedIn and Linktree.
