Heterogeneity and OSI

Abstract

Heterogeneity is the fundamental problem OSI was designed to conquer. However, in spite of the availability of concrete public standards, global interoperability in the present very heterogeneous world of computer systems and networks is not easy to achieve. Incompatibilities hindering interoperability arise even within the realm of OSI. In this paper, we review the different aspects of heterogeneity that need to be resolved to achieve global interoperability, and specifically, to provide global transport service. We concentrate on the problems of interconnecting computer networks and systems that employ different protocols: 1) different subsets of OSI standards, and 2) OSI and non-OSI protocols. We discuss the issues of protocol conversion, and outline integrated naming, addressing, and directory mechanisms for interconnecting OSI and non-OSI domains. More subtle aspects of interoperability are examined for the case of the OSI transport protocol class 4 in mixed LAN/WAN networks. © 1990 IEEE