Local area network standards and guidelines for U.S. Marine Corps applications.

Abstract

This thesis highlights the need for specific guidance and standards in the U. S. Marine Corps local area network ( LAN) specification and selection process. Media, topologies, components, access methods, protocols, standards and other technologies are used to characterize the current technical environment. A strategy for LAN specification and selection is presented. This strategy stresses top-down, user requirement, protocol performance oriented techniques vice the bottom-up, technical design selection oriented techniques in use today. Thorough documentation of user requirements, higher-level services, higher-level protocols, and an information and networking strategy along with other considerations like facilities/support, expected general performance, network management, and security is the method proposed for preparation of a complete specification document. A centrally coordinated U. S. Marine Corps specification and design database is also proposed to ensure future interoperability, connectivity, and support.