{{Redirect|Hub and spokes architecture|the network of alliances in the Asia-Pacific region|San Francisco System|the term in transport optimization|Spoke–hub distribution paradigm}}
'''Network architecture''' is the design of a [[computer network]]. It is a framework for the specification of a network's physical components and their functional organization and configuration, its operational principles and procedures, as well as [[communication protocol]]s used.
In [[telecommunicationtelecommunications]], the specification of a network architecture may also include a detailed description of products and services delivered via a communications network, as well as detailed rate and billing structures under which services are compensated.
The network architecture of the [[Internet]] is predominantly expressed by its use of the [[Internet protocol suite]], rather than a specific model for interconnecting networks or nodes in the network, or the usage of specific types of hardware links.
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{{OSI model}}
The [[OSI model|Open Systems Interconnection model]] (OSI model) defines and codifies the concept of layered network architecture. [[Abstraction layer]]s are used to subdivide a [[communications system]] further into smaller manageable parts. A layer is a collection of similar functions that provide services to the layer above it and receives services from the layer below it. On each layer, an instance provides services to the instances at the layer above and requests services from the layer below.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/OSI|title=What is OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection)? - Definition from WhatIs.com|work=SearchNetworking|access-date=2018-10-09|language=en-US}}</ref>
