3.4.4 Lab – Research Networking Standards (Answers)

Objectives

Standards for Research Networking Organizations Reflect on Their Experiences with the Internet and Computer Networking

Context / Scenario

Conduct research on non-profit organisations that are responsible for developing worldwide standards for the internet and the development of internet technology using online search engines such as Google.

Ressources Required

Internet-connected device

Instructions

Step 1: Conduct research on Organizations that Adhere to Networking Standards

This stage will identify many prominent standards organisations and their key qualities, such as their years of existence, membership numbers, significant historical characters, some of the organization's roles and obligations, organisational supervision function, and headquarters location.

Utilize a web browser or websites for different organisations to do research on the following organisations and the individuals who have aided in their maintenance.

You may get the answers to the following questions by searching for the following acronyms and words associated with the organisations: ISO, ITU, ICANN, IANA, IEEE, EIA, TIA, ISOC, IAB, IETF, W3C, RFC, and Wi-Fi Alliance.

1. Who is Jonathan B. Postel and what are his accomplishments? (Suggestion: Jon Postel)

Jonathan Postel was an American computer scientist who contributed significantly to the development of internet standards, the establishment of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), and as the RFC Editor.

2. Which two closely connected companies are in charge of the internet's top-level domain name space and root Domain Name System (DNS) name servers? (Keywords: ICANN, IANA)

ICANN and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) are the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, respectively (IANA)

3. Vinton Cerf has been dubbed one of the internet's founding fathers. Which online groups did he co-found or chair? What internet technology did he contribute to the development of? (Keywords: Vint Cerf, IAB, ISOC, and ICANN)

Vinton Cerf co-founded the Internet Society (ISOC) with Bob Kahn in 1992, was instrumental in the establishment of ICANN and chaired the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) from 1989 to 1991.

4. Who is responsible for the publication of Requests for Comments (RFCs)? (Hint: IETF)

Task Force on Internet Engineering (IETF)

5. What are the similarities between RFC 349 and RFC 1700? (Hint: Google – Request for Comments – RFC 349, RFC 1700)

Port Codes. The most recent version of this list is available at http://www.iana.org/assignments/service-names-port-numbers/service-names-port-numbers.xml.

6. What is the ARPAWOCKY's RFC number? What exactly is it? (Google – ARPAWOCKY – Request for Comments)

527 RFC. The first hilarious RFC, which paved the way for the IETF's 1989 April Fool's Day RFC.

7. How was the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) founded? (W3C as a starting point for your search)

Tim Berners-Lee founded it at MIT.

8. What are the ten World Wide Web (WWW) standards that the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) creates and maintains? (W3C as a starting point for your search)

Common Gateway Interface (CGI), Document Object Model (DOM), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and Extensible Markup Language (XML) are a few examples (XML)

9. Where is the headquarters of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and what does its logo mean? (Hint: IEEE)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is based in the United States of America in New York City. The IEEE logo is a diamond-shaped graphic that depicts Benjamin Franklin's kite's right-hand grasp rule.

10. What is the IEEE standard for the security protocol Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)? (Hint: WPA2)

The WPA2 standard is based on the IEEE 802.11i standard. It is often used on wireless networks such as Wi-Fi.

11. Is the Wi-Fi Alliance a non-profit organisation dedicated to standardisation? What is their objective? (Suggestion: WiFi Alliance)

Yes, the Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit trade organisation whose mission is to promote interoperability and backward compatibility while also fostering innovation.

12. What is Hamadoun Touré's background? (Hint: ITU)

Mali's Hamadoun Touré serves as the International Telecommunication Union's Secretary-General (ITU).

13. What is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and how is it organised? (Hint: ITU)

The ITU is a United Nations institution devoted to information and communication technology. The ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

14. Identify the three sectors of the ITU. (Hint: ITU)

Radiocommunication, Standardization, and Development are the three ITU sectors.

15. What does RS in RS-232 stand for, and who invented it? (Hint: EIA)

Recommended Standard is abbreviated as RS. The Radio Section of the Electronic Industries Alliance introduced RS-232 (EIA).

16. What is the purpose of SpaceWire? (Tip for searching: SpaceWire, IEEE)

SpaceWire is a high-speed connection and network standard designed for use aboard spacecraft.

17. What is the ISOC's objective and where is its headquarters? (Hint: ISOC)

The headquarters of the Internet Society (ISOC) is situated in Reston, Virginia, and Geneva, Switzerland. Its goal statement is "to ensure the open development, evolution, and usage of the internet for the benefit of all people worldwide."

18. Which organisations are the IAB responsible for? (Hint: IAB)

The IAB is responsible for the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) (IRTF).

19. Which entity is in charge of the IAB? (Suggestion: IAB, ISOC)

ISOC is in charge of the IAB.

20. When and where was the ISO founded? (Hint: ISO)

ISO was formed in 1947 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Step 2: Consider Your Online and Computer Networking Experiences

Consider the internet's current state with respect to the organisations and technology you have just explored. After that, respond to the following questions.

1. In what ways do internet standards enable increased commerce? What possible issues may arise if the IEEE did not exist?

Each firm would design its own protocols and products, which may not be compatible with other companies' technology.

2. What possible issues may arise if the W3C did not exist?

We would not have a "common" language for displaying information and communicating on the internet.

3. What can we learn from the Wi-Fi Alliance's example about the importance of networking standards?

When equipment makers adhere to the same standards/rules, interoperability and backward compatibility are enabled. This promotes competition, increases customer choice, and motivates producers to improve their goods.