Railroads and Internet Scaling

Inventing the internet can be traced from its formation for military and academic use. Since then, we've made huge leaps in terms of communication and interconnectivity. Greater interconnectivity has changed the game for building networks between people. The projects that began in 1966 have fundamentally altered communication practices all over the world.

In the first episode of Traceroute, we go back to the start of the Cold War. What was the initial purpose of computer networking? How has it changed over time? We'll answer these questions with insights from Jay Adelson, Sarah Weinberger, John Morris, and Peter Van Camp. In this episode, we'll discover how the very nature of digital communication evolved and continues to evolve today. One major contribution to the interconnectivity we enjoy today is the neutral exchange framework spearheaded by Equinix.

Episode Highlights 

[02:46] DARPA and Improving Interconnectivity

• The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency was created in response to the panic caused by the Soviet Union’s Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in the world.
• DARPA had a broad mandate to take on research projects as directed by the Secretary of Defense. 
• It tried to create new technologies to keep the Pentagon and the military ahead of the Soviets. 
• DARPA's priorities were space and defense research. However, it also had to consider effective communication and improving interconnectivity.

[04:24] The Birth of ARPANET

• One of the research projects funded by DARPA was ARPANET. The concept of computer networks were new, but improved interconnectivity within the organization.
• In the early days of computers, DARPA hired J.C.R. Licklider. He became fundamental to inventing the internet.

Sharon Weinberger: “He sort of looked ahead and said, the way that we work with computers is going to fundamentally change our society.”

• Their proposal became a prototype. 1969 was the first instance of two computers being connected, and the first message delivered over ARPANET was sent. 
• It was a struggle to convince people of the benefits of greater interconnectivity. The project's funding was almost cut due to lack of support.

[07:41] Interconnecting People

• More people realized that having interconnected systems had applications outside military use.
• The internet left DARPA's hands in the 90s, becoming commercially viable and consumer-friendly. But we can't overlook its military legacy.
• J.C.R Licklider’s hand in inventing the internet also cannot be understated.
• ARPANET is an example of a successful collaboration between the government and private sector.

[09:36] Traffic in the Open Web

John Morris: “Back in the '80s, commercial communications were prohibited on the internet. The internet was only for government and academic communication.”

• The internet’s evolution to how we know it today started when it was decentralized from government control.
• Connection points soon became congested and created traffic in physical telecommunication networks.
• More importantly, opportunities online led to commercial growth and the need for regulation.

[13:07] The Telecommunications Act of 1996

• The main focus of the legislation was to generate competition among phone companies.
• It also created an opportunity for CLECs (competitive local exchange carriers). They could deliver better connectivity and services to a user through higher-speed internet. 
• This...