Why does the data communication industry use the layered OSI reference model? 1 It divides the network communication process into smaller and simpler components, thus aiding component development, design, and troubleshooting. 2 It enables equipment fr

The main advantage of a layered model is that it can allow application developers to change aspects of a program in just one layer of the layer model's specifications. Advantages of using the OSI layered model include, but are not limited to, the following: It divides the network communication process into smaller and simpler components, thus aiding compo- nent development, design, and troubleshooting; it allows multiple-vendor development through standardization of network components; it encourages industry standardization by defining what functions occur at each layer of the model; it allows various types of network hardware and software to communicate; and it prevents changes in one layer from affecting other layers, so it does not hamper development.