O

ODI (Open Data-Link Interface)

Heavily used drivers in both Novell and AppleTalk networks that allow multiple protocols to be bound to an NIC. This enables the card to be used by multiple operating systems. Similar to NDIS.

operating system

The main computer program that manages and integrates all the applications running on a computer.

OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) reference model

A seven-layer model that was created by the ISO to standardize and explain the interactions of networking protocols.

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)

A link-state routing protocol that is used on TCP/IP networks. Compare with distance-vector routing.