Running head: STANDARDS RESEARCH

Assignment 1: Standards Research

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Dr. Roy Fune
CIS505: Communication Technologies
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Strayer University

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Standards Research
Working Groups in the IEEE

The world of computer science and technology is one in which rapid growth and
development is commonplace. This growth coupled with the high volume of people utilizing
technology is exactly the reason why standards are necessary for future development and
innovation. By having a governing set of standards by which computer vendors must abide to,
consumers reap the benefits of lower cost of equipment and flexibility in equipment options.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional association
that is responsible for setting such standards for the entire electronics community. Just as any
large-scale organization, IEEE oversees the individual working groups charted by its umbrella.
One particular family of IEEE standards is the IEEE 802, which is responsible for dealing with
the standards regarding local area networks (LAN) and metropolitan area networks (MAN)
(DAmbrosia, 2015). Of the many working groups operating under IEEE 802, working group
802.11 is specifically responsible for the documentation and the development of new standards
and protocols for Wireless LAN. Their activities affect the standards for which broadband
networks, public venue access points, sensor networks, mesh networks, as well as automotive
networks operate (XXX, 2015). Their contributions allow a wide array of consumer devices to
communicate on the wireless LAN to include laptops, phones, tablets, home appliances,
healthcare devices, and other consumer electronics.
Why IEEE 802 Is Essential
IEEE 802 has become the dominant force in terms of networking standards development.
What was once the rationale of the IEEE 802 committee of developing a widely accepted LAN
standard to assure that the volume and necessary equipment from various manufactures to

STANDARDS RESEARCH

intercommunicate has become the pervasive state of standardization across the globe. Their first
set of standards was issued in 1985 and was immediately adopted by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI). These standards were subsequently revised and eventually reissued
as international standards by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987
(Stallings, 2013). The importance of the IEEE 802 is evident through the inception of its
standards by the two major organizations, ANSI and ISO.
By creating a standard in network communications, IEEE 802 has effectively developed a
medium that allows virtually all consumer products to be able to connect to a network and
communicate with one another. This could not have been done without the framework provided
by IEEE 802 which dictates the architecture of the LAN/MAN along with the internetworking
among 802 LANS, MANS, and other wide area networks. All manufacturers who adhere to the
issued standards benefit from the assurance of the high-volume market that is made available.
The reason for the benefit is two fold; first the standard framework allows various devices to
communicate with one another that create more options for the consumer, and second a widely
adopted LAN standard allows for easier set up and deployment by the end consumer. By
adopting a set standard and displaying IEEE 802 compliance, the consumer may rest assured
knowing that the equipment purchased is compatible with in their chosen environment.
In terms of geographic breadth, IEEE 802 standard has been adopted by national and
international standardized organizations. In doing so, these organizations have confirmed the
importance of the IEEE 802 standards and encourages manufacture conformity to these
standards. The scope of IEEE 802 standardization include topics such as MAC layer for bus
networks, MAC layer for token ring networks, Fiber-Optic Technical Advisory, integrated
voice/data networks, network security, wireless network standards, cable modem standards, etc.

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(Hsieh, 2011). Development of the various data communication standards is in response to the
realization that communication across the LAN is sufficiently complex and needs to be divided
into more manageable subtasks. All of the working groups involved in the development of IEEE
802 standards continue to revise and extend the standards, making adjustments as necessary.
The Three Standard Organizations IEEE, ISO, & ANSI
When discussing organizations for standardization, it is important to note the
organizations that may have the greatest impact on a global scale. IEEE has been discussed in
much detail and it is clear to see the importance of this organization. Two other organizations that
have a great impact on the standards that IEEE develops will be discussed in further detail here.
ANSI is the coordinator for the U.S. private sector in voluntary consensus standards.
ANSIs primary role is to govern the several accreditation programs for certification activities
that span from products, to laboratories, processes, systems and personnel (ANSI, 2004). ANSI is
also responsible for coordinating the U.S. voluntary consensus standards system, providing a
neutral forum for the development of policies on standards issues while also serving as a
watchdog for standards development and conformity assessment programs and processes.
Although ANSI does play a role in facilitating standards development, it is important to note that
ANSI does not itself develop any American National Standards, but rather aid in the
development by providing the structure within which standards can be developed and consensus
can be achieved.
The ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies that covers over 162
countries whose mission is to promote the development of standardization activities around the
world. Their disciplines encompass spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological, and
economic activity. Through the concerted efforts of the members from the collective

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organization, ISOs work results in international agreements, which are published as

International Standards. ISO works in tandem with ANSI to help facilitate the development of
standards along with the help from 229 technical committees (ISO, 2015). ISOs main priority is
to help create an agreed upon way of doing something in all areas that affect society (ISO,
2015). In the areas of data communication and networking, however, ISO standards are
developed in conjunction with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Through
these joint efforts, ISO and IEC banded together in 1987 to create the Joint Technical Committee
1 (JTC 1), who is responsible for the standards in the area of information technology.
In terms of technical need in the realm of communication technology, IEEE 802 appears
to be the most integral player in the development of standards. IEEE 802 has a direct hand in the
development for all LAN and MAN communications standards across the globe. Their standards
have created the best agreed upon practices of developing communication technologies that
encompass all areas of networking. According to Stallings, it is IEEE 802 that develops and
maintains the standards while ANSI and ISO adopt these standards (Stallings, 2013).
Is NIST Really Needed?
There is no doubt that governing bodies in the area of communications technology is
essential to the development of IT and communication standards. Without the concerted efforts
of IEEE, IETF, ISO, and ANSI the best agreed upon way of creating a communication network
might not be achieved. However, it is unclear whether there needs to be more than one federal
regulating bodies of standards such as NIST and FCC.
The FCC is currently the primary federal regulating body when it comes to
communication technologies in the United States. The FCC is responsible for regulating the
interstate communication in the U.S. as well as international communication including radio,

STANDARDS RESEARCH

television, satellite, and wireless communications (Keyence, 2015). Along with NIST and the
aforementioned organizations responsible for developing communication standards, there
appears to be more hoops for manufacturers to jump through rather than nurturing innovation as
the organizations may claim. In a 2013 news release, NIST and NTIA, yet another body of
telecommunications regulations announces plans to establish a Center for Advance
Communications (Porter, 2013).
NIST originally started out as an organization to help standardize the metrics and
measurements area in 1901 (Amin, 2015). After several hours of research, the only information
regarding the current role NIST plays in the development of communications revealed that NIST
is the Designating Authority for U.S. TCBs to the FCC (GSIG, 2015). The information provided
on the website suggest that NIST works in conjunction with the FCC to issue TCB accreditation.
This isnt to say that is the only role NIST plays in the development of telecommunications, it is
simply a testament to the information available regarding their practices. It is unclear whether
NIST plays an active role in the development of standards for communication technology,
however it is clear that it is another federally regulated governing body put in place to oversee
communication technologies.
The Alphabet soup of governing bodies suggest more limitations then innovation, in my
opinion. Adding more chefs to stir the pot is never the right way to create new and exciting
dishes. And lets be honest, when was the words innovation and government regulating body
used in the same paper that wasnt meant to be ironical?

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References

Amin, V. (2015). Who Is NIST? Retrieved from http://www.garbermetrology.com/nist-nationalinstitute-standards-technology/

ANSI. (2004). Frequently Asked Questions. ANSI: About ANSI. Retrieved from
http://www.ansi.org/about_ansi/faqs/faqs.aspx?menuid=1
DAmbrosia, J. (2015). IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee. Retrieved from
http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/index.shtml
GSIG. (2015). Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCB) Application Information.
Retrieved from http://gsi.nist.gov/global/index.cfm/L1-4/L2-38/L3-98/A-376/
Hsieh, C. (2011). The IEEE 802.x Standard. [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from
http://pluto.ksi.edu/~cyh/cis370/ebook/ch05c.htm
ISO. (2015). ISO in Brief. [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.iso.org/iso/isoinbrief_2015.pdf
Keyence. (2015). North American Standard: UL, FDA, ANSI, FCC, and CSA. Retrieved from
http://www.sensorcentral.com/worldsupport/standards03.php
Porter, G. (2013). NIST and NTIA Announce Plans to Establish New Center for Advanced
Communications. Retrieved from http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/nist-ntiamou-061413.cfm
Stallings, W. (2009). CIS 505: Business Data Communications: Custom edition (6th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Stallings, W. (2013). B-Standards. Retrieved from
https://app.box.com/shared/9dtnzvwys8/1/15730219/164146343/1
XXX, X. (2015). What is IEEE 802.11 Doing? [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from
http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802-2014.pdf