The convergence of computing and telecommunications is now becoming a reality. The power of desktop computing allied with Local Area Networks has brought new opportunities and challenges.
New applications make extensive use of graphics and demand high speed communications.
New requirements at the desktop place demands on Local and Wide Area Networks alike. Speed can be achieved in different ways. But speed costs money, so it is important to use it well. The new traffic is bursty and peak bandwidh exceeds the average. This is typical of the traffic flow between LANs.