This layer may translate data from a format used by the application layer into a common format at the source system. The presentation layer at the target system may re-translate the format into another appropriate format for its application layer.

Presentation Services

The presentation layer provides the following services and functions. These functions ensure that information sent from the application layer of one system will be readable by the application layer of another system.

Character code translation – i.e. ASCII to EBCDICData conversion and format – the use of standard image, sound, and video formatsData compression – de-duplicates the number of bits that need to be transmitted on the networkData encryption – encrypt data for security purposes

Protocols

Some of the protocols that function at this layer include:

Apple Filing Protocol (AFP)Independent Computing Architecture (ICA)Lightweight Presentation Protocol (LPP)NetWare Core Protocol (NCP)Network Data Representation (NDR)TelneteXternal Data Representation (XDR)X.25 Packet Assembler/Disassembler Protocol (PAD)