Model LAN scheme and compressed data transfers

With file servers and LAN hardware becoming relatively affordable, even small office and laboratory environments are tending to be LAN oriented. This has the definite advantage of sharing the network resources very efficiently and economically. In addition, the digital connectivity using technologies such as ISDN (integrated services digital network) and frame relay has enhanced the scope for inter-LAN connectivity considerably. It is a well known fact that the information can be compressed before being transmitted, to improve the bandwidth utilization and enhance data transmission rates. However, there are different data compression schemes and often the end user is confronted with the uncertainty with these methodologies. While adapting to any of these compression and decompression methodologies, an end user has to conform to the LAN based desktop oriented conferencing standards such as the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) H.323. The authors present a functional model of a laboratory oriented LAN, which is being implemented at Florida International University Data Communication Research Laboratories. Also they discuss the data compression schemes as applicable to desktop conferencing and screen sharing. Internet connectivity for Windows based PC platforms is also presented.