Assignment 1 Standards Research
Yvonne Mitchell
Strayer University Summer 2015
Dr. Constance Blanson
Communication Technologies

Assignment 1: Standards Research
Abstract
Information technology is at the center of daily operations for millions of people around the world. Almost everyone uses at least one piece of technology in his or her everyday routine, whether it is a cell phone/smartphone, laptop computer, tablet, or other device. With that being said, standards are implemented to help regulate this technology so that it functions properly. By definition, a standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to certify that materials, products, processes and services are adequately fulfilling their purpose. This paper will answer the 4 questions/topics outlined in regards to standards research.
Select one of the working groups in the IETF or IEEE and briefly summarize what this working group is working on. The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) is in charge of developing voluntary Internet standards. These standards make up the TCP/IP Internet protocols. The working groups are organized into different areas: General, Applications, Real-time Applications and Infrastructure, Operations and Management, Routing, Security, and Transport. (Active IETF Working Groups) The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) focuses on the educational and technical advancement of electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering, and allied disciplines. The IEEE-SA (IEEE Standards Association) is in charge of the standardization activities of the IEEE. This organization has developed over 900 active industry technical standards in various fields and industries. These include electric power and energy, biomedical technology, information assurance, telecommunications, consumer electronics, transportation, aerospace, and nanotechnology. The IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee develops and maintains networking standards and recommended practices for local, metropolitan, and other area networks. The most widely used standards are for Ethernet, Bridging and Virtual Bridged LANs, Wireless LAN, Wireless PAN, Wireless MAN, Wireless Coexistence, Media Independent Handover Services, and Wireless RAN. Each area of focus has its own working group. Working groups work to create and write standards. Working Group 802.11 (Wireless LAN) under the IEEE is responsible for creating one of the most important standards to date. The 802.11 standard and its subsequent amendments provide the foundation for wireless products operating the Wi-Fi brand.
Justify the need of the IEEE 802 standard used in networking. IEEE 802 is a group of standards that deal with LAN (Local Area Network) and MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and are restricted to networks that carry variable sized packets. This group of standards operates in layers 1 and 2 (Physical and Data Link Layers) of the OSI Reference Model. It is necessary to have a set of standards/rules when we connect computers together through networks. These standards are needed for the data that travels from computer to computer on these networks. The IEEE 802 standard and others like it help provide industry advantages such as low costs and interoperability.
Evaluate the three standard organizations including IEEE, ISO, and ANSI to determine the most important for communication technology. As stated earlier, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) focuses on the educational and technical advancement of electrical and electronic engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering, and allied disciplines. The IEEE-SA (IEEE Standards Association) is in charge of the standardization activities of the IEEE. This organization has developed over 900 active industry technical standards in various fields and industries. These include electric power and energy, biomedical technology, information assurance, telecommunications, consumer electronics, transportation, aerospace, and nanotechnology. The IEEE and the 802 standards are very important for communication technology. Wireless communication is used by millions of individuals for personal and business functions on a daily basis. Millions of people around the globe are able to successfully communicate with each other from overseas, from state to state, nation to nation, or city to city. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization is an independent, non-governmental organization and the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards. This organization has established about twenty thousand standards in fields ranging from technology, food safety, and agriculture to healthcare. The use of these standards helps with the creation of products and services that are of good quality, reliable and safe for consumers. These standards also help businesses increase productivity while minimizing waste and errors that in turn minimizes costs and increase profits. International Standards bring technological, economic and community benefits. They help to synchronize technical specifications of products and services making industry more efficient and breaking down barriers to international trade. Compliance with international standards helps reassure consumers that products are safe, efficient and good for the environment. The benefits for businesses are cost savings, enhanced customer satisfaction, access to new markets, increased market share and environmental benefits. The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a private, non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the U.S. The ANSI also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide. Although the ANSI does not develop standards they play an important role in getting standards approved for implementation. In my opinion, all three standard organizations are equally important for communication technology. Without any of the three organizations the industry would be lacking structure and functionality.
Take a position on the need for a federal regulating body of standards such as NIST. Include supporting evidence to justify your opinion. The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is a measurement standards laboratory that is a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Their mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. (http://www.nist.gov/) From the smart electric power grid and electronic health records to atomic clocks, advanced nanomaterial, and computer chips, countless products and services rely in some way on technology, measurement, and standards provided by the NIST. Businesses and individuals use these various products and services every day. It is extremely important to have federal regulating bodies of standards such as the NIST to ensure that these products and services are reliable, safe, and of the best quality.

References 1. “Standards Organizations” written by William Stallings (2009), located at http://www.box.net/shared/9dtnzvwys8/1/15730219/164146343/1 2. Stallings, W. (2009). CIS 505: Business Data Communications: Custom edition (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 3. NIST website http://www.nist.gov/ 4. ISO website http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm 5. IEEE website http://www.ieee.org/index.html