in a network architecture can two layers in different machines communicate between each other using some protocols, without having to go through the layers below, if yes how briefly ?
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$\begingroup$ You should probably wait a little while before accepting an answer. Maybe somebody will come along and say the exact opposite of what I said! $\endgroup$– David RicherbyMay 31, 2015 at 21:20
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$\begingroup$ Let’s side-step "can?" and give a resounding NO to "should?". Even if you could, it would be A Bad Thing. There are very good reasons for having equivalent functionality on the same layers at each side of a network interface. I assume that you are well aware of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_model and are just speculating here. Otherwise - bad programmer! BAAAD programmer!! No pizza!! $\endgroup$– Mawg says reinstate MonicaJun 9, 2015 at 13:03
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No. Ultimately, for two computers to communicate, something physical (such as a bunch of electrons or photons) must pass between them and that's the lowest possible level of the OSI model.
In general, though, you shouldn't view the layers too rigidly. They're a vocabulary for talking about networking, rather than a requirement for writing network protocols.
answered May 31, 2015 at 21:15
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$\begingroup$ I suppose that what is possible is for a layer to skip the hierarchy and talk several levels below on the same machine. But I doubt it is recommended. $\endgroup$– babouMay 31, 2015 at 22:53
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$\begingroup$ @babou It's actually pretty common: very little goes on at layers 5 and 6 in TCP/IP, for example, so the application layer (7) tends to talk directly to the transport layer (4). $\endgroup$ May 31, 2015 at 23:03
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$\begingroup$ but generally on the same machine & OP is asking about different machines (and, personally, I would still make them speak through the intervening layers, even if they only provide a pipeline) $\endgroup$ Jun 9, 2015 at 13:00