Network Architectures And Protocols

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Until quite recently, there was a lack of sufficient standards for the interfaces between the hardware, software, and communications channels of data communication networks.

For this reason, it is quite common to find a lack of compatibility between the data communications hardware and software of different manufacturers.

This situation has hampered the use of data communications, increased its costs, and reduced its efficiency and effectiveness. In response, computer manufacturers and national and international organizations have developed standards called protocols and master plans called network architectures to support the development of advanced data communications networks.

Protocols. A protocol is a standard set of rules and procedures for the control of communications in a network. However, these standards may be limited to just one manufacturer's equipment, or to just one type of data communications.

Part of the goal of communications network architectures is to create more standardization and compatibility among communications protocols. One example of a protocol is ...
... a standard for the physical characteristics of the cables and connectors between terminals, computers, modems, and 326 c0mmvinics*t.ioiis lines, other examples arc me protocols that establish the communications control information needed for handshaking, which is the process of exchanging predetermined signals and characters to establish a telecommunications session between terminals and computers.

Other protocols deal with control of data transmission/reception in a network, switching techniques, internetwork connections, and so on.

Network Architectures. The goal of network architectures is to promote an open, simple, flexible, and efficient telecommunications environment.

This is accomplished by the use of standard protocols, standard communications hardware and software interfaces, and the design of a standard multilevel interface between end users and computer systems.

The OSI Model and Other Architectures. The International Standards Organization (ISO) has developed a seven-layer Open System Interconnection (OSI) model to serve as a standard model for network architectures.

By dividing data communications functions into seven distinct layers, the ISO hopes to promote the development of modular network architectures. This would assist the development, operation, and maintenance of large telecommunications networks.

Examples of network architectures include IBM's System Network Architecture (SNA) and DECnet by the Digital Equipment Corporation. An important suite of protocols that has become so widely used that it is equivalent to a network architecture is the Internet's Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol known as TCP/IP.

Another example is the local area network architecture for automated factories sponsored by General Motors and other manufacturers called the Manufacturing Automation Protocol (MAP).

Integrated Services Digital Network. Related to the development of network architectures is the development of a set of standards for ISDN, the Integrated Services Digital Network. This is a set of international standards needed to establish public and private digital telecommunications networks capable of handling voice, data, image, and video communications throughout the world. Many communications carriers and corporations are developing, testing, and installing ISDN networks.

ISDN promises to revolutionize telecommunications and networking. If ISDN is fully implemented, voice, video, and data transmissions would be available through your telephone company and the normal twisted-pair telephone wiring of your office or home just by plugging your computer or videophone into a telephone wall socket. So ISDN will enable end users to enjoy multimedia computing and communications.

However, much more development work remains to be done by communications carriers, computer manufacturers, and end user organizations.

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