An association of organizations, governments, manufacturers and users form the standards organizations and are responsible for developing, coordinating and maintaining the standards. The intent is that all data communications equipment manufacturers and users comply with these standards. The primary standards organizations for data communication are:
1. International Standard Organization (ISO):
ISO is the international organization for standardization on a wide range of subjects. It is comprised mainly of members from the standards committee of various governments throughout the world. It is even responsible for developing models which provides high level of system compatibility, quality enhancement, improved productivity and reduced costs. The ISO is also responsible for endorsing and coordinating the work of the other standards organizations.
2. International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Sector (ITU-T):
ITU-T is one of the four permanent parts of the International Telecommunications Union based in Geneva, Switzerland. It has developed three sets of specifications: the V series for modem interfacing and data transmission over telephone lines, the X series for data transmission over public digital networks, email and directory services; the I and Q series for Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and its extension Broadband ISDN. ITU-T membership consists of government authorities and representatives from many countries and it is the present standards organization for the United Nations
3. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE):
IEEE is an international professional organization founded in United States and is compromised of electronics, computer and communications engineers. It is currently the world’s largest professional society with over 200,000 members. It develops communication and information processing standards with the underlying goal of advancing theory, creativity, and product quality in any field related to electrical engineering.
ANSI is the official standards agency for the United States and is the U.S voting representative for the ISO. ANSI is a completely private, non-profit organization comprised of equipment manufacturers and users of data processing equipment and services. ANSI membership is comprised of people form professional societies, industry associations, governmental and regulatory bodies, and consumer goods.
EIA is a non-profit U.S. trade association that establishes and recommends industrial standards. EIA activities include standards development, increasing public awareness, and lobbying and it is responsible for developing the RS (recommended standard) series of standards for data and communications.
TIA is the leading trade association in the communications and information technology industry. It facilitates business development opportunities through market development, trade promotion, trade shows, and standards development. It represents manufacturers of communications and information technology products and also facilitates the convergence of new communications networks.
IAB earlier known as Internet Activities Board is a committee created by ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) so as to analyze the activities of ARPANET whose purpose is to accelerate the advancement of technologies useful for U.S military. IAB is a technical advisory group of the Internet Society.
The IETF is a large international community of network designers, operators, vendors and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and smooth operation of the Internet.
The IRTF promotes research of importance to the evolution of the future Internet by creating focused, long-term and small research groups working on topics related to Internet protocols, applications, architecture and technology.