Computer Communications in the Eighties - Time to put It All Together

Abstract This paper provides some broad views on the applications environment of the eighties for computer/communications systems, and some of the technical challenges it represents. Perhaps the biggest challenge will be to make these systems easier to install, service and, especially, to use. The growth of distributed computing will underscore the importance of flexibly layered system architectures that can grow with the times, and the role of gateways in allowing different networks to exchange information. For communications within an establishment, two philosophies have emerged: the intelligent, digital PABX and the broadband, shared network. Outside the establishment, there are also many approaches which will continue to coexist. The options available have become so numerous that improved simulation and modeling tools represent a major technical challenge for the decade. And as networks grow increasingly complex and indispensible to their owners, the need for network management tools will become even more critical. How well the computer and communications communities handle these challenges will determine both the future growth of these industries and whether the newly emerging information services of the eighties will realize their true potential.