Clear support for deploying three data links? (8)
I believe the answer is:
ethernet
'data links?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'clear support for deploying three' is the wordplay.
'clear' becomes 'net' (as in net profit).
'support for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters 'support' others).
'deploying' indicates anagramming the letters.
'three' with letters rearranged gives 'ether'.
'net' after 'ether' is 'ETHERNET'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ethernet that I've seen before include "System connecting several computers" , "Communication system" , "food" , "Computer system" , "Network of a number of computers" .)