which layer does tls belong in networking?

Transport Layer Security (TLS) primarily operates between the Transport Layer and the Application Layer in the networking stack. While it is often associated with the Transport Layer due to its role in securing data transmission, it technically sits above the Transport Layer and below the Application Layer

Placement in Models:

• OSI Model: TLS is generally considered to operate at the Presentation Layer (Layer 6), as it handles encryption and decryption of data.
• TCP/IP Model: TLS is seen as part of the Application Layer, since the TCP/IP model has fewer layers and combines some of the OSI layers.

Functionality:

• Encryption: Ensures that data is encrypted before transmission and decrypted upon receipt.
• Authentication: Verifies the identities of the communicating parties using certificates.
• Integrity: Ensures that the data has not been tampered with during transit.

This positioning allows TLS to provide secure communication for various application protocols like HTTP (resulting in HTTPS), SMTP, and IMAP.

 

OSI 7 layers 

Layers: 7 layers (Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application).

 

TCP/IP layers:

Layers: 4 layers (Network Interface, Internet, Transport, Application).

 

Since OSI model is not really used in real world application, focus on TCP/IP model is better in programming.