The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a seven-layer framework that standardizes the functions of a communication system, facilitating interoperability among different vendor products. Developed in the late 1970s and published in 1984, it consists of layers that define roles such as physical connection, data link management, routing, transport, session management, data presentation, and application services. Each layer includes specific protocols that govern how data is transmitted and managed across networks.