1. VDCP conforms to the Open Systems Interconnection ( OSI ) reference model. 2. Unlike proprietary Open Systems Interconnection ( OSI / ISO ) seven-layer communications model. 3. Standardization is therefore not the only solution for " open systems interconnection ". 4. It was designed in the spirit of the Open System Interconnection ( CCITT X . 25 recommendation. 5. The model is a product of the Open Systems Interconnection project at the International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ). 6. In 1983, these two documents were merged to form a standard called The Basic Reference Model for Open Systems Interconnection . 7. It relies on a new, optional sublayer in the data link layer of the Open Systems Interconnection ( OSI ) model. 8. The standard is usually referred to as the Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model, the OSI Reference Model, or simply the OSI model. 9. The standard covers the OSI ( Open Systems Interconnection ) layers 1-3 which are the physical, data link and networking layers. 10. The protocol was defined in ISO / IEC 10589 : 2002 as an international standard within the Open Systems Interconnection ( OSI ) reference design.