XNET Scope and Objectives
XNET develops and maintains the Open Group specifications of communications and networking aspects of Open Systems.
The Open Group has historically been largely concerned with the development of systems software and the specification of the interfaces between systems software and applications. Its communications and networking specifications are mainly concerned with applications program interfaces to communications services, rather than with network architecture or protocol definitions. They also include enabling interfaces that are used by systems software components rather than by applications.
As well as data transfer functions, communications services include communications support functions that make possible, but do not provide, data transfer. For example, directory services are in this category.
The Single UNIX Specification is currently the most important Open systems software standard. The Open Group communications and networking specifications have a justified close relationship to the present and future versions of the Single UNIX Specification. XNET may work on interfaces that are intended to include implementations outside of its historical charter, but it will generally avoid work that has no relevance to the Single UNIX Specification.
The first generation computer communications architectures and protocols were proprietary. These gave way to Open architectures, notably those of OSI and the Internet, of which the Internet has emerged as the market choice. XNET has developed specifications for programming interfaces to the commonly used OSI and Internet protocols, and to some proprietary protocols that are still extensively used in existing installations.
The problem of providing interworking between Open Systems is solved for the communications needs of four years ago. The challenge now is to ensure that the solution evolves to meet current and future needs. These include higher speed communications, multicast, security, quality of service (QOS), interoperability with MS-Windows PCs, enhancements to the underlying protocols such as IPv6, and changes in the platform such as 64-bit architectures.
XNET will also continue to address the needs of security, manageability and internationalization in communications services.
Within this general framework, XNET's specific work programfont size="2" face="Arial"> will be driven by market need. And XNET will continue to seek to adopt and adapt existing industry practices, rather than inventing new ones.
