Efficiency of a data communications system depends on three fundamental characteristics
- Delivery: The system should deliver data to the correct destination. Data should be received by the intended device or user and only by that device or user
- Accuracy: The system should deliver the data accurately. Data that have been altered in transmission as well as left uncorrected are unusable
- Timeliness: The system should deliver data in a timely manner. Data delivered not on time are useless. Delivering the data in the similar order that they are produced and without significant delay (real time transmission)