1.11 Standard Committees

It is important to note that for all technologies developed, standards play important roles. In fact, standards have been defined from a specific technology, such as T1, to packet formats, such as an IP packet.

Standardization allows different vendors to develop products that can talk to each other so that customers can choose products from multiple vendors; this helps bring the price down.

There are two types of standards: de jure and de facto.

	De jure standards are arrived at through consensus by national or international standards bodies; for example, ITU-T and IETF.
	De facto standards are usually the result of an effort by one or more vendors to standardize a technology by forming a consortium.

There are many standards bodies that address issues related to networking and networking technologies, some of them are:

International Telecommunication Union – ITU: plays the role of standardizing international telecommunications; it is a United Nations specialized agency.

1.11 Standard Committees

	Internet Engineering Task Force - IETF: "is a large, open international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet.
	MPLS and Frame Relay Alliance Forum - MFA Forum: is an international, industry-wide forum consisting primarily of telecommunications and networking companies.

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees

1.11 Standard Committees