Abstract

Data communications networks have become ubiquitous and vital facilities in the modern office. The networks must be inexpensive, support many different hardware platforms and must be easy to install and maintain. System integrators and component designers have worked together to develop standards that define the requirements for data communications networks with these desired properties. The standards describe the requirements that an implemented system must meet, and thus provide a common development point for fiber optic component manufacturers and system integrators. The ANSI X3T9.5 fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) is an example of a network standard that is imminently reaching completion while the ANSI X3T9.3 fiber channel standard is an example of developing fiber optic standard. The presentation will review the technical requirements of these standards to show how they implement the required physical connections.

© 1990 Optical Society of America