Definition
X.25 is a protocol suite for packet-switched wide area network services. It was designed in the 1970s by the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) to establish connections and exchange data across digital networks. It involves a set of rules defining how connections between user devices and network services are established and maintained.
Phonetic
Ex-Twenty-Five
Key Takeaways
<ol><li>X.25 is a Packet-Switching Network: X.25 is an ITU-T standard protocol suite for packet-switched wide area network (WAN) communication. It allows devices to communicate over long distances, with packets of data sent and received over shared networks.</li><li>Layering Structure: X.25 provides multiple layers of communication protocols, allowing data to flow smoothly from source to destination. It follows a structure that closely resembles the seven-layer OSI model, including the physical, data link, and network layers.</li><li>Legacy and Current Usage: X.25 was widely used in the late 20th century by major telecommunication companies. While its popularity has declined due to the rise of newer technologies like Frame Relay and IP, it is still used in certain industries, especially in applications requiring reliable and error-free transmission.</li></ol>
Importance
X.25 is a significant term in technology as it refers to an ITU-T standard protocol suite for packet-switched wide area network (WAN) communication. Introduced in the 1970s, it predates and laid essential groundwork for modern internet protocols like TCP/IP. X.25 was particularly important for transmitting data over long distances or unreliable networks. Its significance also lies in its utilization by commercial industries and international networks for communication purposes. Moreover, it enabled the creation and use of public data networks, which marked a milestone in the evolution of global connectivity and data sharing. Even with the advent of new technologies, X.25’s fundamental principles continue to inform contemporary network data transmissions, making it a critical term in the understanding of digital communication history.
Explanation
X.25 is a suite of protocols that are designed for network communications known as packet-switching. The main purpose of X.25 technology is to provide a reliable and efficient way of transmitting data across various networks. A key feature of this technology is its ability to allow multiple devices to communicate over the same physical line, enabling the network backbone to connect different regions or countries. This makes it advantageous for both long-distance and international network communications.In simpler terms, X.25 is like a digital courier service for information, helping it travel from one point to another within a network. It is majorly used in applications such as credit card verification and airline reservation systems, where the exchange of crucial details is required over different locations, and security and reliability are paramount. Though the dawn of newer, faster technologies may have overshadowed X.25, it remains significant in areas where robust and reliable communication is necessary.
Examples
1. Banking Networks: The X.25 protocol was widely used as the basis for ATM and Credit Card verification networks. It allowed for reliable, secure transmission of data between a user’s bank and the card verifying entity.2. Airlines Reservation Systems: Many airline reservation systems, such as Amadeus, Sabre, or Apollo, used the X.25 protocol for managing their global networks that connected airlines, travel agencies, and airport terminals. It provided the reliable data communication required to manage such a vast network of reservations and ticketing information. 3. National Research Networks: Countries like Australia used X.25 for the initial development of their academic and research networks. Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) used this technology for the connection of universities across the country. It provided reliable data communication between different academic institutions, facilitating research and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Q: What is X.25?A: X.25 is a telecommunications protocol for wide area networks (WANs) offering connection-oriented services for data transmission in packet-switched networks. Q: Who developed X.25?A: X.25 was developed and published by International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) in 1976.Q: What is the purpose or use of X.25?A: X.25 was primarily used for transmitting data across national and international networks. It was largely applied in industries like aviation for flight reservation systems or ATM machines for financial transactions.Q: Is X.25 still widely used today?A: No, though some industries still use X.25, it has largely been replaced by newer, faster protocols such as TCP/IP, Frame Relay, and MPLS.Q: How does X.25 work?A: X.25 creates virtual circuits, which are a logical path created in a network between the communicating entities. All packets sent across the circuit follow the same path and arrive in the order in which they were sent.Q: What is a packet in X.25?A: A packet refers to the unit of data. X.25 divides data into small packets that contain both data and control information to ensure they are delivered correctly.Q: What kind of networks is X.25 suitable for?A: X.25 is mainly suitable for public data networks, banking systems, airline reservation systems, and military applications. It works well in high latency or error-prone environments.Q: What are the main components of an X.25 network?A: The main components of an X.25 network include the user device (known as DTE-Data Terminal Equipment), packet-switching exchange nodes (PSE), and the communication channels that link them.Q: What is the difference between X.25 and TCP/IP?A: While both are protocols for packet-switched networks, TCP/IP is more widely used due to better internet compatibility. X.25 handles both network and transport layer functionality, and it includes built-in error correction, while TCP/IP separates these tasks across multiple protocols.
Related Tech Terms
- Packet Switching
- Data Networks
- Connection Oriented Communication
- Public Data Network (PDN)
- Virtual Circuits
