L7

L7 is a designation used in different contexts, encompassing music, technology, and geography. It does not point to a single entity but to several unrelated uses that share the same short form.

L7 (band) refers to an American all-female rock group formed in Los Angeles in 1985. The band is associated with the 1990s alternative rock and grunge scenes and released several albums, including Bricks Are Heavy (1992). They are known for energetic live performances and songs such as "Pretend We're Dead" and "Fast and Frightening."

In computing, Layer 7, abbreviated as L7, denotes the application layer of the OSI model. This layer handles high-level protocols and data representations used by software applications. The term is widely used in network security and software design to describe systems that inspect and filter traffic based on application data, rather than solely on transport or network headers. Examples include application-aware firewalls and proxies that analyze HTTP or other protocol content.

L7 also appears in consumer electronics as a model name, notably the LG Optimus L7, a smartphone released in 2012 as part of LG’s midrange Optimus line.

Geographically, L7 is a postal district within the Liverpool, England, postcode area. It is used for mail routing and administrative purposes within the city.

Across these uses, L7 functions as a shorthand label rather than a single, unified concept, illustrating how the same designation can span culture, technology, and geography.