Open system interconnection (OSI)
Peter F. Linington · Encyclopedia of Computer Science · 2003
Two computer systems can communicate successfully only if they are prepared to use the same set of communication protocols. If machines from different manufacturers each use their own unique protocol, they will not generally be able to communicate. Each machine could, in principle, be provided with facilities for translating foreign protocols, but if the range of systems involved is large, this becomes a burdensome task.