Networks today span the globe. Hardware and software manufactured by different companies in different countries need to be interchangeable and able to work together. A network interface card needs to be able to interface with any network anywhere in the world. This consistency is established through standards.

Important international standards-making bodies for networks include: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). There are also many regional and national standards organizations.

For this Discussion, choose an organization responsible for creating international standards. Conduct an Internet search to locate the organization’s standards specifications. Identify a specific standard from the organization that is relevant to networks.

Post a brief description of the network standards organization you have selected. In particular, focus on how it successfully garners international cooperation with its standards. Then, in a separate paragraph, explain your chosen standard. Explain the advantages and limitations of this standard. Include the organization abbreviation and standard addressed in the title of your post.

Note: Multiple posts regarding the same organization are encouraged; however, please highlight a different standard than those highlighted in previous posts by your colleagues. You should review these in the Discussion before posting.

Element 1a: Initial Post—Network Standards Organization

Student provides a thorough and detailed description of the network standards organization of their choice, with a focus on how it successfully garners international cooperation with its standards. Several examples and resources support thinking.

Element 1b: Initial Post—Specific Standard

Student provides a thorough and detailed explanation of their chosen standard, including advantages and limitations of that standard, with the organization abbreviation and standard in the title of their post. Several examples and resources support thinking.