Underlying Principles of the OSI Reference Model

• Minimize the number of layers thus simplifying the tasks of describing and integrating different layers.
  
  
• Establish boundaries at points where the description of services is small and the number of interactions is minimum.
  
  
• Create layers that include different functions.
  
  
• Establish boundaries where history demonstrates that the implementation can be partitioned.
  
  
• Engineer layers so that they can could be redesigned to take advantage of new technology without changing the services and interfaces of adjacent layers..
  
  
• Allow for the bypassing of sublayers.
  
  
• Each layer should add value