There are two types of open standards. The first is called the formal standard where it is defined by the standard-setting organization. Under the regulations of the organizations they are documented and recognized. The second example of an open standard is the informal standard. It is termed a de facto standard that eventually evolves into a formal standard. Some advantages include the ability by the device managers or the software developers to consistently understand the standards set. A layered architecture would be seen as beneficial because each layer provides the ability to change the function of a service without affecting any of the other components in the system. It would also enable the ability to make several different changes or services within the different layers of the architecture. A protocol is a set of rules that defines how a task needs to be completed or accomplished. It is used so that multiple people or computers that are communicating between one another are speaking the same language and are completely understood. This would minimize the possibility of confusion or errors in getting a task completed. One example of a technological protocol is when two or more computers are on a single network. In order to connect to one another they must rely on a protocol to enable them to communicate with one another. The four different types of networks are Backbone, Local area, Wide area and Metropolitan area. The key characteristic of a backbone network is its ability to connect more than one Local area network for a company and allow its users to share their resources. The key characteristic of a Local area network is its size. It has the ability to configure in a small geographical area, such as a room or building. A Wide area network can operate for businesses that may have offices in different geographical areas, like cities, states or even countries. It is the culmination of multiple LANs joined together. Unlike the Metropolitan area network, WANs are able to spread over large areas. The Metropolitan area network is an extension of a LAN, and can connect within a city’s parameters thereby increasing the reach of a LAN. Open System Interconnection, otherwise known as OSI, and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, also known as TCP/IP have similar models in that they are both open architecture and contain layers among them that have specific functions, including an application and transport layer. They differentiate between one another in that the OSI model is the more widely used network model and it has seven layers of communication whereas the TCP/IP model consists of four layers.