An OSI Transport connection is an end-to-end connection. It is a reliable two-way, data-transfer path between two OSI Transport users. An OSI Transport connection has three phases: o Setting up the connection -- an OSI Transport user (the initiating user) on one end system (the initiating host) sends a connection request TPDU to another OSI Transport user (the responding user) on a second end system (the responding host). When a successful connection is made, data transfer can take place in either direction. o Using the connection to transfer data through -- OSI Transport connections support two kinds of data transfer: - Normal data transfer --- for usual message exchange or - Expedited data transfer --- bypasses any blockage due to the flow control applied to normal data; only for sending small amounts of data; has its own type of TPDU and transmission rules. o Releasing the connection -- either transport user can release the OSI transport connection by sending a disconnect TPDU.