This article compares and contrasts the strengths and weaknesses of two competing protocol standards, both aimed at the same objective, widespread compatible data communications among distributed computing systems regardless of make and model. The article outlines the history of both protocols suites and portrays their developments from the wider perspective of hardware and software developments during the 1980's. The article explains the popularity of the TCP/IP protocols and argues that open systems interconnection is inevitable. The article closes by providing some practical advice aimed at practical people who need to evaluate, buy, deploy, and manage networks within their enterprises.
