This is a great book, BTW. All network engineers should read it. I suspect this misunderstanding grew out of the idea that some of the original papers on packet switching used as one of their criteria, that the networks be highly survivable. Also, considering the source of many of the grants on this (DARPA), a tip of the hat to a defense-oriented goal would have been smart. - Daniel Golding
-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu]On Behalf Of Alan Hannan Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2002 12:14 AM To: nanog@merit.edu Subject: Purpose of the Internet
Actually, NANOG does great. Especially during Sept 11, information was disseminated, help was offered and accepted, and except for a couple of idiotic flames, the SNR was high. ARPA designed the thing to withstand nuclear blasts, and while this was not nuclear, it stood up well.
I read through nanog around september 11th a few days ago and I concur that painful as it was to re-read, it is apparent that nanog served well as a useful communications medium.
With regards to the purpose of the internet, I recall reading in the Prologue to _Where Wizards Stay Up Late_, by Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon, a true anecdote about Bob Taylor. The authors quote Mr. Taylor as refuting that the purpose of the arpanet was to provide communications in spite of a nuclear attack.
Rather, it is asserted, the purpose of the arpanet was to interconnect computers at various research/education facilities so as to allow researchers to share resources.
We all heard that story too, but popular media tended to focus on the sensationalist nuclear story.
Useful info from history.....
-alan
ps -> thanks jeff for the book back in 1996 :-)