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OSI

(1) (Open System Interconnection) An ISO standard for worldwide communications that defines a framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Control is passed from one layer to the next,...

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Definition: OSI

(1) (Open System Interconnection) An ISO standard for worldwide communications that defines a framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Control is passed from one layer to the next, starting at the application layer in one station, proceeding to the bottom layer, over the channel to the next station and back up the hierarchy.

Never Completely Defined
At one time, most vendors agreed to support OSI in one form or another, but OSI was too loosely defined and proprietary standards were too entrenched. Except for the OSI-compliant X.400 and X.500 e-mail and directory standards, which are widely used, what was once thought to become the universal communications standard now serves as the teaching model for all other protocols.

A Reference Model
The OSI serves as a reference model for all network protocols because its functionality exists in all communications systems, although two or three OSI layers may be incorporated into one. For details of the layers, see OSI model. For comparisons between the OSI model and other protocol stacks, see TCP/IP, NetWare, ATM, SNA and SS7.

(2) (Open Source Initiative) A non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting open source software. The OSI logo on software certifies that it is distributed under one of several approved licenses. For more information, visit www.opensource.org. See open source.


OSI

An Approved License
This logo can be used if software is distributed under one of several licenses approved by the Open Source Initiative.





THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
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  • Europe gets its own GPL

    Europe now has its own version of the GPL. It's got copyleft, but it lacks the extra language found in GPLv3 meant to enforce that concept.

    Blog posts | March 20, 2009 10:23am PDT

  • Microsoft steps up self-policing of its OSI-approved source licenses

    After pulling its "Sandcastle" documentation compiler from its CodePlex repository site for failure to comply with Open Source Initiative terms and conditions, Microsoft is ready to try releasing...

    Blog posts | July 2, 2008 12:30pm PDT

  • Microsoft apologizes to Open Source Initiative for policy violation

    After outcry from various constituencies over the past couple of days, Microsoft has pulled from its CodePlex site its Sandcastle project for failure to comply with the terms and conditions...

    Blog posts | June 6, 2008 1:08pm PDT

  • Bruce is back, does OSI still want him?

    The Perens campaign is about serious issues, the most important being the continuing tension between the needs of vendors and free software advocates. Those tensions have never been entirely put...

    Blog posts | March 20, 2008 6:10am PDT

  • Will the GPL be overtaken by AGPL?

    As the software industry increasingly moves to a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, Fabrizio Capobianco of Funambol writes, the license's closing of the "ASP loophole" will become a vital...

    Blog posts | March 17, 2008 6:15am PDT

  • News to know: Yahoo; Enterprise mashups; Ubuntu; Intel; IBM

    Notable headlines: Dion Hinchcliffe: The 10 top challenges facing enterprise mashups. Dave Greenfield: Top 100 Enterprise 2.0 Links. Dan Farber: Coming up: Web 2.0 Summit Garett Rogers: Google...

    Blog posts | October 17, 2007 2:14am PDT

  • Was OSI right to let Microsoft licenses in?

    Both clauses are meant mainly to protect Microsoft's interests, as opposed to the licensee's interests. Microsoft doesn't want you trying to make a profit by adding your stuff to its stuff. This...

    Blog posts | October 16, 2007 8:16pm PDT

  • Microsoft gets the open-source licensing nod from the OSI

    Microsoft was awarded an official Open Source Initiative (OSI) approval for the two Shared Source licenses it submitted for consideration in August -- but not without agreeing to some...

    Blog posts | October 16, 2007 10:57am PDT

  • Why SugarCRM made peace

    SugarCRM has been pushing a proprietary, Enterprise edition for two years now. It recently added IBM i5/OS compatibility to that edition. Sugar's re-sellers all push the proprietary version of the...

    Blog posts | August 27, 2007 8:00am PDT

  • Microsoft Shared Source licenses are now in OSI's hands

    On August 9, Microsoft made good on its promise to submit its Shared Source licenses to the Open Source Initiative for consideration as certified open-source licenses. Again, I am wondering why is...

    Blog posts | August 13, 2007 9:44am PDT

  • Will Microsoft fit into OSI compromise?

    As a member of the open source community, you have the power. Community contributions rise as projects go down the incline, toward the GPL. That gravity will continue to pull people down, even...

    Blog posts | July 31, 2007 6:01am PDT

  • Monkcast #10: One day, they'll grow fruit with bar codes on the skin & Yeah! Socialtext

    In this week's Monkcast, our 10th joint production between the research outfit Redmonk and ZDNet, we ponder worldly topics such as the idea of cows making skim milk. Apparently, this is already...

    Blog posts | July 27, 2007 12:57pm PDT

  • OSI avoids open source war

    Tiemann has now averted that war. Following what I suspect were intense discussions, SugarCRM has chosen an OSI-approved license, while OSI itself has created an "attribution" license.

    Blog posts | July 27, 2007 11:22am PDT

  • Sugar sweet for GPLv3

    The big news today is that SugarCRM has bowed to community pressure and will release the next version of its CRM software under an OSI-approved license. The bigger news may be the identity of the...

    Blog posts | July 26, 2007 6:14am PDT

  • Optaros EOS will take the licensing question seriously

    Optaros has launched its Enterprise Open Source Directory. It is a very good thing, better than a plate of Martha Stewart bran muffins.

    Blog posts | July 19, 2007 9:03am PDT

  • Little red hens of open source CRM

    The value of business software comes out only when you work with it, when you tweak it, when you support it. All open source licenses, especially the GPL, protect a program creator's rights to...

    Blog posts | June 23, 2007 10:00am PDT

  • News to know: Clusty; Supernova; Longhorn not reloaded; Linux security

    Notable headlines: Life without Google: Can Clusty gain traction? Gallery (right). Mary Jo Foley: Windows Longhorn won’t be reloaded, after all. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Friday Rant - Copy...

    Blog posts | June 22, 2007 4:47am PDT

  • OSI to defend open source definition aggressively

    This flagrant abuse of labeling is not unlike sweetening a mild abrasive with ethylene glycol and calling the substance Toothpaste.

    Blog posts | June 21, 2007 1:41pm PDT

  • It's not open source until the OSI says so

    The Open Source Initiative is cracking down on the loosey goosey way the term "open source" is being thrown around. Triggered in part by this Dana Blankenhorn post OSI president Michael Tiemann...

    Blog posts | June 21, 2007 11:51am PDT

Additional Results

  • Europe gets its own GPL

    Europe now has its own version of the GPL. It's got copyleft, but it lacks the extra language found in GPLv3 meant to enforce that concept.

    Blog posts | March 20, 2009 10:23am PDT

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