Considering the past and anticipating the future for private data networks

A private network supports the information interchange requirements of a community of interest. It is a system consisting of transmission, demultiplexing, and switching components providing an information movement and management (IMM) infrastructure. The networks provide a customized operations environment with predictable service objectives and cost. The market drivers, legislative events, and enabling technologies that have instigated user-operated networks, often making them more advanced than those of the common carriers, are examined. The roles of T-1 multiplexing, corporate data processing, and frame relay services in the growth of private data networks are discussed. Issues driving the evolution of private data communication towards broadband networks are presented. The major trends in the future development of the private data networks are summarized.<>