Standardization of network addressing in picture archiving and communications systems utilizing the ISO OSI protocols

The establishment of a communications network requires the definition of addressing schemes to identify systems attached to the network. When it is anticipated that such a network will interconnect to, or communicate with, other similar networks it is beneficial to define standardized addressing schemes. This paper discusses the need for the standardization of network service access point (NSAP) addresses in picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) which use the open systems interconnect (OSI) communications protocols. Possible methods for establishing the necessary hierarchy of address registration authorities are discussed, along with the corresponding address formats.