network communications standards and protocols plus a disadvantage of bluetooth

What are some network communications standards and protocols?

To alleviate the problems of incompatibility and ensure that hardware and software components can be integrated into any network, various organizations such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) propose, develop, and approve network standards. A network standard defines guidelines that specify the way computers access the medium to which they are connected, the type(s) of medium used, the speeds used on different types of networks, and the type(s) of physical cable and/or the wireless technology used. Hardware and software manufacturers design their products to meet the guidelines specified in a particular standard, so that their devices can communicate with the network. A standard that outlines characteristics of how two devices communicate on a network is called a protocol. Specifically, a protocol may define data format, coding schemes, error handling, and the sequence in which data transfers over a network. The following table identifies some of the more widely used network communications standards and protocols for both wired and wireless networks.

Network Communications Standards and Protocols

Name               Type                Sample Usage

Ethernet            Standard          LAN

Token ring        Standard          LAN

TCP/IP            Protocol           Internet

Wi-Fi               Standard          Hot spots

Bluetooth          Protocol           Wireless headset

UWB               Standard          Inventory tracking

IrDA                Standard          Remote control

RFID               Protocol           Tollbooth

NFC                Protocol           Mobile phone payment

WiMax             Standard          Hot spots

What is a disadvantage of using Bluetooth?

One negative of Bluetooth technology is its low bandwidth. Because of its slow data transfer speeds, Bluetooth technology is not an ideal solution for replacing a LAN. Most agree that the advantages of Bluetooth technology far outweigh the negatives.