An abstraction that represents a systems interconnection environment that consists of a set of concepts, elements, functions, procedures, services, and protocols, as represented by (a) the Open Systems Interconnection—Reference Model and (b) the derived specific standards that enable communication among open systems when the standards are adopted, adapted, and implemented. Common abbreviation OSIE. Synonym  OSI environment. See also  abstraction,  communication,  element,  environment,  function,  interconnection,  open system,  Open Systems Interconnection—Reference Model,  procedure,  protocol,  representation,  service,  standard.