In the Open Systems Interconnection reference model, data transfer relies on a rigid hierarchy of functions. An N-facility represents the specific capability that layer N offers to layer N plus one. It abstracts the complex operations of the lower layer so the upper layer only needs to know how to request the service, not how it is executed.
We need to verify that the N-facility provided by the transport layer is properly handling the segmentation requests from the session layer.
Engineers rarely use this exact term in daily shop talk, preferring to name the specific layer or protocol involved.
Related terms
Data
Digital information transmitted over a cellular network rather than a local wireless connection.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is the foundational suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices.
Network subsystem
The core switching network of a GSM mobile phone system.