- also known as Translation layer, as this layer serves as a data translator for the network.
- also called as Syntax layer since it is responsible for maintaining the proper syntax of the data which it either receives or transmits to other layer(s).
- with the syntax and semantics of the messages.
- provide or define the data format and encryption.
- Include protocols that handle encryption
- carries out data compression to reduce the bandwidth of the data to be transmitted (the primary goal of data compression is to reduce the number of bits which is to be transmitted).
- in return improves the data throughput.
- This layer is responsible for interoperability (ability of computers to exchange and make use of information) between encoding methods as different computers use different encoding methods.
- 資料加密和解密
- 資料壓縮和解壓
- 資料編碼和解碼

協定
- Apple Filing Protocol : AFP
- Lightweight Presentation Protocol (LPP) : ISO
- NetWare Core Protocol (NCP)
- Network Data Representation (NDR
- External Data Representation (XDR
- SSL