< networking > (Or "host-host layer") The middle layer in the OSI seven layer model. The transport layer determines how to use the network layer to provide a virtual error-free, point to point connection so that host A can send messages to host B and they will arrive un-corrupted and in the correct order. It establishes and dissolves connections between hosts. It is used by the session layer .
An example transport layer protocol is Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).
OSI documents: ITU Rec. X.214 (ISO 8072), ITU Rec. X.224 (ISO 8073).
(1997-12-07)