Network Standards By Rashid Amin

“A standard provides a model for development that makes it possible for a product to work regardless of the individual manufacturer” Standards

zStandards are essential in: yCreating/Maintaining Open and Competitive Markets yGuaranteeing National/International Interoperability Why Standards are Essential?

K sources and L receivers leads to K*L protocols and 2*K*L implementations If common protocol used, K + L implementations needed

The Importance of Standards Ensure that hardware and software produced by different vendors can work together. Makes it much easier to develop software and hardware that link different networks because software and hardware can be developed one layer at a time. Normally, the standards used in data communication are called protocols.

Categories of Standards ProprietaryNon Proprietary De facto (By Fact) De jure (By Law) Standards

The Standards Making Process Formal standardization process has three stages 1. Specification stage: developing a nomenclature and identifying the problems to be addressed. 2. Identification of choices stage: those working on the standard identify the various solutions and choose the optimum solution from among the alternatives. 3. Acceptance, the most difficult stage: defining the solution and getting recognized industry leaders to agree on a single, uniform solution

Types of Standrds zDe facto (By fact or By Convention) zStandards not approved by an organized body but have been adopted as standards through their widespread use zDe jure (By Law or By Regulation) z Standards that have been legislated by an officially recognized regulation body z Subdivision of De Facto Standards z

Types of De facto standards zPROPRIETARY (Closed Standards) y Standards that are originally invented by a Commercial Organization as a basis for the operation of its products they are wholly owned by that company. They are also called Closed Standards because they close off Communication between systems z NON- PROPRIETARY (Open Standards) y They are Originally developed by groups or committees that have passed them into public domains. They are also called Open Standards because they open Communication between different systems

Standard Organizations zStandards are developed mainly by 3 entities: z zStandard Creation Committees zForums zRegulatory Agencies

1. Organizations For Communication Standards Standards are developed by cooperation among standards creation committees, forums, and government regulatory agencies. Standards Creation Committees a)International Standards Organization (ISO) b)International Telecommunications Union (ITU) c)American National Standards Institute (ANSI) d)Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) e)Electronic Industries Association (EIA) f)Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

a) International Standards Organization (ISO) -A multinational body whose membership is drawn mainly from the standards creation committees of various governments throughout the world -Dedicated to worldwide agreement on international standards in a variety field. -Currently includes 82 memberships industrialized nations. -Aims to facilitate the international exchange of goods and services by providing models for compatibility, improved quality, increased quality, increased productivity and decreased prices.

-Also known as International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Standards Sector (ITU-T) -An international standards organization related to the United Nations that develops standards for telecommunications. -Two popular standards developed by ITU-T are: i) V series – transmission over phone lines ii) X series – transmission over public digital networks, and directory services and ISDN. b) International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

c) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) -A non-profit corporation not affiliated with US government. -ANSI members include professional societies, industry associations, governmental and regulatory bodies, and consumer groups. -Discussing the internetwork planning and engineering, ISDN services, signaling, and architecture and optical hierarchy.

d) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) -The largest national professional group involved in developing standards for computing, communication, electrical engineering, and electronics. -Aims to advance theory, creativity and product quality in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics and radio. -It sponsored an important standard for local area networks called Project 802 (eg , and standards.)

e) Electronic Industries Association (EIA) -An association of electronics manufacturers in the US. -Provide activities include public awareness education and lobbying efforts in addition to standards development. -Responsible for developing the EIA-232-D and EIA-530 standards.

f) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) -Concerned with speeding the growth and evolution of Internet communications. -The standards body for the Internet itself -Reviews internet software and hardware.

Internet Engineering Task Force A protocol proposed by a vendor IETF working group study the proposal IETF issues a request for comment (RFC) IETF reviews the comments IETF proposes an improved RFC The proposed standard becomes a draft standard if two or more vendors adopt it The RFC becomes a proposed standard

More Organizations yNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) yNational Exchange Carriers Association (NECA) yCorporation for Open Systems (COS) yElectronic Data Interchange -(EDI) of Electronic Data Interchange for Administration Commerce and Transport (EDIFACT).

Forums z Special Interest Groups with representatives from interested corporations they facilitate and fasten standardization process by working with universities, and users to test, evaluate and standardize new technologies zEach Forum Concentrate on a specific technology and present their conclusions to the standard bodies zFrame Relay Forum zATM Forum zInternet Society & IETF

Regulatory Agencies zAll communication technology is subject to regulation and laws by government agencies. The purpose is to protect Public Interest by regulating Radio,Television and Cable Communications. z zFCC

Federal Communications Commission zThe (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government, created by Congressional statuteindependent agency of the United States government Congressionalstatute zFCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security.broadbandcompetitionspectrummediapublic safetyhomeland security zThe Commission is also in the process of modernizing itself.