A comparison of ISDN and LAN technologies

The author discusses the use of integrated services digital network (ISDN), broadband-ISDN, and fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) link protocols aboard ships. Connectionless services and connection-oriented services are compared, and their appropriateness for use in a tactical environment is analyzed. Conclusions are drawn on which technology is most appropriate for shipboard use and for use between land-based command centers. It is pointed out that FDDI networks are ideal for connecting existing local area networks (LANs) and have properties making them especially well suited for shipboard use. The use of ISDN and broadband-ISDN services ashore between command centers and other such installations is desirable for economic reasons and reasonable because the operating environment is less hostile.>