Requires specialized software for both the individual node and the network server. New online systems for library OPACs. A Network environment in which all nodes on the network have equal access to at least some of the resources on all other nodes. Traditionally a telephone and broadcast technology. Network technology is moving to full implementation of digital networks.
Phone companies are in the process of laying the new lines.
Synchronous data communication requires that each end of an exchange of communication respond in turn without initiating a new communication. A typical activity that might use a synchronous protocol would be a transmission of files from one point to another. As each transmission is received, a response is returned indicating success or the need to resend. Each successive transmission of data requires a response to the previous transmission before a new one can be initiated. Asynchronous - irregular intervals.