Abstract This paper examines the history of the internet, starting as early as the 1960s. The paper explains that more than four decades ago, a system to match the technological and management needs of information with its growing social and commercial aspects was born in the concept of the internet. The paper details the role of Larry Roberts' ARPANET in the '60s and the involvement of the U.S. military R&D wing in the '70s. The paper also discusses the contributions of private companies, such as Xerox. The paper concludes by briefly examining how the internet came to fruition in the '80s and significantly expanded its reach and applicability in the '90s.
From the Paper "In 1966, Larry Roberts began working on a computer-networking concept called ARPANET. This concept was the younger sibling of the Internet. ARPANET was a series of independent networks that connected and shared information. ARPANET was the first packet switching network, and it later included packet satellite networks, ground based radio networks, and miscellaneous other networks. The concept of a network technology that could be selected freely and made to network with other systems and technologies through a multi-level "Internetworking Architecture" took hold."
Abstract The paper relates that, unwilling to let the Soviet Union remain in the technological lead after their successful launch of Sputnik, the United States formed DARPA, whose ARPANET would eventually evolve into today's Internet. The paper explains how today's hardware and software evolved from the simple PC of yesteryear. The paper also explores how the Internet impacts society, for the good and for the bad.
Outline:
Introduction
The Cold War
The Birth of the Internet
Politicians Involvement in the Creation of the Internet
Hardware and Software Differences Between Then and Now
The Impact of the Internet
Conclusion
From the Paper "The history of the computer industry, in general, has been a story of fast-paced development. Technological advancements coming in rapid fire succession has been the key development of technologies a generation or two ago were only the stuff of science fiction, such as the Internet. Today, technology and specifically the Internet are intrinsically intertwined in every aspect of society, from home life to the workplace, the Internet has changed the way people work, interconnect, and live."
Abstract This paper examines the problems created by the Internet and portrays the issues involved in attempting to regulate any aspect of the Internet. A brief history of the Internet is provided. The paper describes the Internet as one of the most popular methods of international communication. Reasons are presented as to why the government feels it necessary to regulate the Internet.
From the Paper "The Internet was created by the defense-related ARPANET project, which was a communications tool for the United States government in the late 1960's linking a decentralized system of computers that could resist a nuclear attack (Copeland, et al). Today, this tool, which was once viewed as little more than an emergency fallback system, has grown into one of the most popular methods of international communication."
Abstract This research paper argues that the U.S. government should not regulate the Internet. One important reason is that it would go against the nations? right to freedom of speech. The government has used a number of reasons to support its quest for regulation, such as protecting children, yet it has ignored the fact that there are other methods to control harmful and illegal material online without hindering the Internet's growth and capabilities. This paper shows that it would be impossible for any single government or nation to completely regulate the Internet, because by nature, the internet is resistant to control and regulation.
From the Paper "The government claims that the Internet should be regulated because pornographic and hate sites need to be controlled. However, these sites are only a very small part of the Internet. In addition, there are already existing laws throughout the world that regulate these sites, enabling authorities to track, investigate, arrest and convict parties engaging in illegal Internet activities, including credit fraud, hacking, pedophilia and more (117). Government regulation, such as blocking Web sites from harmful or illegal content is a drastic and unnecessary measure that does solve the problems presented by the Internet. Even if the regulation were successful, it would be impossible to solve the problem of sites outside the U.S. The government still continue to argues that this regulation is necessary, particularly to protect the children."
Abstract In "Where Wizards Stay up Late, the Origins of the Internet", Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon explore the beginnings of the Internet. The authors show us how it was a computer-engineering firm that produced the original prototypes for "Arpanet" and how several very intelligent men made the Internet possible. The book is excellent in that it brings to the limelight many important people that played an important role in devising the Internet. In other words, therefore, this book is a history as well as a work of drama. It tells a very intriguing story of how the computer technology for the Internet was devised. In many respects, it is very much a "behind-the-scenes" kind of documentary.
Abstract This paper examines some of the advancements, historical events, and perspectives that have perpetuated the concept of technological utopianism through all aspects of American life, particularly in the field of adult education. The paper presents arguments for and against computer technology in education and shows that potential benefits far outweigh the problems of cost and successful integration.
From the Paper "Clearly, technological advancement, utopian aspiration, capitalism and education are never without a measure of dystopian elements. Although computerization has seemingly revolutionized many areas of society, there are many who question the ramifications of tailoring education around it. The Flickering Mind, (Oppenheimer, 2003) queries the value and nature of changes that computers have brought to academia and the business world, citing the possibility that the astronomical government expenditures for providing technology in the classroom could negate traditional essential learning practices in favor of the novelties of technology."
Shows that existing network infrastructure designs, having evolved extensively over time, are not ideally suited for the demands placed by new applications such as VoIP.
Abstract This report is an evaluation of existing network infrastructure designs and how they have evolved over time. This evolution now includes the consistent need of technological upgrades because of the new demands that are being placed on the existing systems by new applications and philosophies such as VoIP. As the technological evolution of both local and wide area networks continues to progress, it appears that the only way for the network administration to reach this optimum level of efficiency would seem to be by completely starting over from scratch.
The networking factions also have moved through the spectrum of technological advances and breakthroughs that have come out so fast that they cause a problem of when to upgrade and when to stay put with the existing system. This report therefore utilizes publications, whitepapers and other research documentation with a focus on the maintenance, design and implementation of local and wide area networks with a specific emphasis on issues relating to IP telephony (Voice Over IP aka VoIP) traffic, traffic and load balancing, quality of service and the limitations imposed by existing load management technologies in prioritizing and maintaining reliable merged data and telephony services on public (shared) and private LAN/WAN environments, including the internet.
From the Paper "These advances add a great deal of pressure on existing networking processes and will require constant system capabilities evaluations and new upgrades. For a LAN to be able to utilize these capabilities, it requires a newer Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) which is a peer-to-peer, multimedia signaling protocol. Session Initiation Protocol is an ASCII based process very similar to the very Internet popular HTTP system and it is known for reusing existing IP protocols like DNS, SDP and more to help provide both media setup capabilities and teardown options."
Abstract The paper explains that protocols are agreed upon sets of rules or standards that allow end points, nodes, or other points of interaction across a network to communicate in the same language. The paper discusses early versions of the IP, current versions and the future IPv6 that is certain to further refine the usefulness and security with which data and information is funneled across networks and the Internet.
Outline:
Overview
Early IP
Current Iterations
Future Iterations
Conclusion
From the Paper "Within the field of information technology (IT), the establishment of standards and predetermined rules of operation is vital in order to engender technological progress across a greater spectrum of IT related activity. Protocols are nothing more than an agreed upon set of rules or standards that allow end points, nodes, or other points of interaction across a network, internet or otherwise, to communicate in the same language (Bradbury, 2005). Protocols do not exist at a single level across a telecommunication network but rather they are established at each level in a network in order for consistency and communication to take place. These levels consist of the actual hardware level for device communication, information exchange at the application level, and together these and other levels combine to create the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model whereby protocols are packaged together to form an integrated system of interchange (Bradbury, 2005)."
Abstract The paper relates that US President Eisenhower created the Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) to regain the technological lead in the arms race. The paper discusses how ARPA scientists worked to establish a secure communication channel for the United States government that eventually became public and evolved into the Internet technologies of today.
From the Paper "Talk to almost anyone in the world today, mention the word "Internet" and chances are they will not look at you with a puzzled gaze. Had you uttered that word 25 years ago, you might have had different "clueless" answers - unless you ended up talking with an academic, a scientist or military personnel involved in the ARPANET project. The Internet is truly a scientific and technological revolution of our generation. It became a force multiplier in different our daily lives, business, the industry and almost any endeavor there is today. Without the Internet today, we would still be learning new things by reading books; we would still be sending our mail through the post office; we would still use the landline telephone as our primary means - and only, of voice communication; we would still be bringing our vacation pictures to work in brick-like albums; or we would still be doing our shopping at various malls and markets. Now that the Internet is as ubiquitous as the sun on the horizon, we can send electronic mail with attached pictures or videos in a split second; we can post our photo albums online; we can chat with anyone in the world through our PCs; we can go online shopping anytime and anywhere; or we can learn about anything just by surfing."
