What are the advantages and disadvantages of developing a single standard protocol

Without rules governing the exchange of data and establishment of connections between networks, there would have a big chaos in the industry. These rules are called line protocols and are very crucial for the inter-networking and communication across the networks. 

The mode and the speed of communication are controlled by what are called the communications software packages. These network protocols are defined by the international standards. However, having international standards for the protocols has got both advantages and disadvantages. 


- A number of standard network protocols for carrying out several functions such as routing, packetizing, and addressing and so on. 

- All these protocols lay out a standard definition of how the routing and addressing has to be done. 

- They also define the specifications for the structure of the packets to be transferred between different hosts. 

- Some commonly used routing protocols are:

Ø  X.25

Ø  IPX/ SPX

Ø  TCP/ IP

Ø  OSI


- The OSI stands for open systems interconnection. 

- Early networking systems had a big problem which was that there was a lack of consistency between the protocols employed by several types of different computers. 

- As a consequence of this problem, the international standards came in to the picture. 

- Thus, international standards were established for the various data transmission protocols. 

- For example, OSI is a set of standard protocols developed by ISO (international standards organization).

- In this model, the functionalities of the network protocols have been divided in to seven layers of the communication rules or protocols. 

- The purpose of this model is to identify the functions being offered by the system. 

- The following three layers appear in the host systems and other units such as processor and control unit etc.:

  1. Physical layer
  2. Data link layer
  3. Network layer

- The leftover layers are found in the host systems only. 


Advantages of having International Standards

Ø  If all the systems are following the same standard, it becomes easy for everyone to connection to everyone else. In other words, the international standards provide easy interconnectivity.

Ø  If any standard is widely used, it gains economies of scale. For example, VLSI chips etc.

Ø  With all the systems using the same standard, the installation and the maintenance of the connections become quite easy.

Ø  Software designed by the developers from all over the world, won’t have any problem in interfacing with the host system and the other software. They will work well with a wide range of operating systems and hardware since both are using the same standard.



Disadvantages of having International Standards

Ø  Poor standards may be formed as a result of the frequent standardization.

Ø Once the standard is adopted internationally, it’ll be difficult to make changes to it. It will be difficult to introduce new and better techniques in to it.

Ø  If a problem occurs, it has to be seen as an international problem.

Ø The manufacturers and companies will be bound to follow the same international standards and so they won’t be able to develop something better of their own.

Ø  Large multinational companies won’t be able to pool everyone in to using their proprietary protocols and therefore no huge profits.



TCP/ IP protocol was developed to make communication easy between the dissimilar systems. A number of hardware and software vendors support this protocol ranging from mainframes to microcomputers. A number of corporations, universities and govt. agencies are making use of this protocol. 

Computer programs can only interact if they follow the same standards. Networks allow programs running on different computers to interact. Those programs could be written by different software producers. Standardized networking protocols are necessary to ensure that all communicating software can understand each other.

Practice

A programmer might decide to create a field in a data packet with a code field where "1" means "Accept," and "2" means "Reject." But unless this interpretation of the code is made available to other programs, that program will only be able to send messages to the same program running on a different computer. Networking protocols ensure that no one programmer has the responsibility for deciding operating procedure for a networked function.

Competition

Published standardized networking protocols enable competition. With a common standard to reference, any software house can produce programs which are automatically compatible with other programs running in the same field. This enables competition, which promotes innovation and lowers prices.

Trade Secrets

Some networking standards are proprietary. A company may decide to keep its operating protocols an in-house secret to prevent other companies competing in a field that they dominate. ithin the company, protocols have to be written and circulated to ensure that all their programs are compatible. This proprietary system might involve a wide range of functions and cover several different protocols.

Mixed Implementations

A networked system could involve a combination of both "open" (publicly available) and "closed" (proprietary secrets) protocols. A new application may require a standard protocol to be adapted in order to function correctly. In this instance, the company creating the software is not following existing protocols, but creating a new one.

Innovation

Some situations require a company to create its own new protocol in order to release a new product to the public. International standards bodies do not produce new standards quickly, so an innovative company may have to produce new standards and publish them themselves, hoping that other companies will jump on the standard and create extra facilities for the new product. This scenario is particularly seen in the fast developing field of wireless networks. There are many open standards in this area which were originally created by a company rather than a standards body. Many are later adopted as an international standards.

Associations

A number of trade groupings create user groups to support a specific area of implementation -- such as industrial applications or process flow networking for utility companies. This enables a group of producers to promote their products within a framework of mutual support among their users. Other trade associations are created by the holders of patented protocols to generate an income from the patent by encouraging other companies to pay a fee to use them and expand the protocol's popularity.

References

  • The TCP/IP Guide: TCP/IP Protocols

Writer Bio

Stephen Byron Cooper began writing professionally in 2010. He holds a Bachelor of Science in computing from the University of Plymouth and a Master of Science in manufacturing systems from Kingston University. A career as a programmer gives him experience in technology. Cooper also has experience in hospitality management with knowledge in tourism.

What are the disadvantages of protocols?

The disadvantages of the TCP/IP model are It does not clearly separate the concepts of services, interfaces, and protocols. So, it is not suitable to describe new technologies in new networks. It does not distinguish between the data link and the physical layers, which has very different functionalities.

What are the benefits of having a standard protocol explain?

Having an established set of standards and protocols can increase the quality of the services rendered or products created. Standards and protocols allow for managers and supervisors to outline the correct way to accomplish something.

What is the advantage of standardizing data networks?

Faster Deployment. Configuration and deployment happens quicker when components and connections are standardized and simplified. If data center standardization is used, it's also possible that fewer pieces of equipment will need to be installed.

Which of the following are business advantages of standardized protocol?

This standardization of protocol stack gives the business many advantages such as a wide range of choices, reduction in the cost due to competition, and increase in the quality.