The document discusses the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model, which defines 7 layers of network communication. It was created by ISO to establish standards for network hardware and software interoperability. Each layer has a specific function like data formatting, session establishment, or physical signal encoding. Protocols like IP, TCP, and Ethernet align with these layers. The OSI model provides a framework for conceptualizing network communication and for developing applications and network-aware software.