Layered Network Architecture Layering is a widely accepted structuring technique  in designing a communication system. A set of layers and protocols is called a network architecture. To reduce their design complexity, networks are organized as a series of layers, each one built on the layer below it. The number of layers, their contents and their functions varies from network to network. However, in all networks, the purpose of each layer is to offer certain services to the higher layers, protecting those layers from the implementation details of services. The communication between the two machines or parties is done by protocols. A protocols is defined as a set of rules governing the exchange of data between two separate entities or application programs. These conventions when standardized are called protocols. Violating the protocol will make communication more difficult, if not impossible. Advantages Layering reduces the design complexity of the network. In a layered architecture, e