The OSI file service

The OSI File Service defines a standard for transferring, accessing, and managing information stored in or moved between open systems as files. Within the framework defined by the OSI Reference Model the OSI File Service resides within the Application Layer (OSI layer 7). The OSI File Service describes features for basic file transfer and access allowing manipulation of the data contained in a file and features for management of individual files. To minimize the amount of detailed technical information that one needs to determine about a system before communicating with it, the OSI File Service establishes a common model for files. The model used by the OSI File Service is called the Virtual Filestore. Describing file transfer, access, and management in terms of the Virtual Filestore allows interconnection of a wide range of systems of different complexity. The definition of a number of optional subsets within the Virtual. Filestore allows simpler systems to interwork with more sophisticated ones. The OSI File Service defines the aims and objectives that the protocol must achieve. The application protocols for the OSI File Service support the activities required for file transfer, access, and management between open systems.