A LAN also has a number of drawbacks. Since a LAN is akin to a distributed net-
work, adequate controls and security are difficult to maintain, particularly in peer-
to-peer networks. Also, some application software for workstations is lacking or
inadequate. Furthermore, protocols and equipment have not been standardized for
LANs. Hence, workstations and servers of one manufacturer are generally incompat-
ible with those of another manufacturer. It should be noted, however, that standard-
ization is likely to be achieved within the near future since most vendors support this
concept. The International Standards Organization has issued a network model de-
scription called the open systems interconnection (0S1). This model prescribes the
open systems architecture (hardware, software, and protocols) for a LAN (as well as
for a WAN). Open systems architecture means that the design specifications of mul-
tiple vendors' products are publicly available to anyone. Thus firms are not lim-
ited to one vendor's information technology but can employ multiple products from
multiple vendors. In open systems, users can seamlessly exchange data, files, and
software between local-area and wide-area networks built with multiple vendors'
computer hardware (micros and mainframes), software, and networking compo-
nents.