Kantronics KPC–3 Plus User Manual page 113

Basic Networking Guidelines
The intent of this section is not to dictate how to configure a packet network. However,
certain goals and concepts of design should be carefully considered. The primary goal
of any data network should be the efficient transfer of data from point A to point B (high
speed), coupled with ease of use (low frustration level). The efficient transfer of data is
made possible with the advent of high-speed modems and "data-ready" radios capable
of operating at 9,600 and 19,200 baud. These modems and radios are now available
from a number of commercial sources. This means that making internal radio
modifications for high-speed data operation is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
User access to the high-speed channel is generally accomplished by using a separate,
low-speed port at a network node site on a different channel. This protects users from
server-to-server activity and also provides a relatively clutter-free Local Area Network
for keyboard-to-keyboard activities.
In an ideal packet network, all high-speed links would operate on a dedicated channel
(backbone) without contention. This would require that no stations other than network
nodes and servers reside on the backbone channel. Each node on the backbone would
have a "rock solid" link to the next, preferably on alternating, or full-duplex channels for
maximum data transfer efficiency. All users in a community would be grouped into Local
Area Networks (LANs) with each LAN assigned a specific operating frequency such that
adjacent LANs would not interfere with each other. Each LAN would have a user port at
a local network node that would provide access to servers and other LANs in the region.
This situation would provide very efficient server-to-server communication, while
offering users an enjoyable environment consisting of a useable keyboard-to-keyboard
channel and easy access to servers and distant LANs. In reality, much of the above is
quite difficult to achieve. Obstacles include finding suitable node sites, available funds
for equipment, and dealing with the differing philosophies and interests of other node
sysops. There are many differing opinions on how to go about achieving "Network
Utopia", but virtually all of them have one goal in common - make packet radio fun!
113