With the emergence of high-speed LAN/MAN/WANs, traditional protocol stacks used in communications networks and end systems must be examined and new ones explored, so as to take full advantage of the large bandwidth available. Protocol stacks providing data transfer functions must minimize processing overheads and be amenable to hardware implementation. An overview of the problems to be solved, the approaches that can be used to increase protocol speeds, and current activities is presented.>

Frame relaying is a new CCITT-recommended packet-mode bearer service in ISDNs for data communications. Its major characteristics in terms of link layer multiplexing and out-of-band call control are summarized. The overview provides an introduction to frame relaying and serves as a foreword to the papers in a panel session on various aspects of frame relaying.>

This paper is a compendium of potential protocol "traps" compiled from relevant literature on computer networks. The diversity of deadlocks and message ping-ponging conditions that can arise in computer networks is presented together with associated methods of solution.