Principles Digital Communication System & Computer Networks (Charles River Media Computer Engineering)

A six-layer architecture for computer communication can be just the elimination of the session layer in the ISO/OSI architecture. Session layer functionality is minimal and can be eliminated. An eight-layer architecture can have an additional layer to provide security features that runs above the transport layer.

Windows 9x/2000/XP operating systems provide the Hyper Terminal with which you can establish communication between two systems through an RS232 link.

In Linux operating system, you will have access to the complete source code for serial communication. You can interconnect a Linux system and a Windows system using RS232.