Corporate networking standards

The push for more comprehensive corporate networking standards is discussed. The major impediment in defining such standards has been the difficulty of reconciling two different traditions of standardization. One tradition is reflected in the telephone network, which is used for voice and data, and the other is embodied in pure data networks, such as those that exist between host computers and terminals. Two forces are now working to harmonize telephone and data networking standards. The first of these forces is the industry-wide move toward an integrated services digital network (ISDN). The second is the need to interconnect IBM System Network Architecture (SNA) networks with other networks. Current standardization efforts with regard to layered protocols are examined, namely, OSI, ISDN, and SNA protocols.