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Computer Networks (CITS3230) - Lecture 7
 
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A Brief History of the Internet

In 1969, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded a project in computing resource sharing termed the ARPANET. APRANET consisted of multiply connected, high-bandwidth (56 Kbps) links between government, academic and industrial laboratories. During the 1970s DARPA was the chief funding body for packet switching networks using diverse technologies, such as mobile radio transmitters and satellite links. By the mid 1970s research concentrated on a framework for the ARPANET. By 1979 the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) was running exclusively over ARPANET.

hostcount

Ref: ISC Internet Domain Survey

A 2007 white-paper from the Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that US-based Internet growth, and use, is slowly slowing.

Other interesting readings (from our Resources page):

  • A Short History of the Internet,
  • IP: 10 choices that were critical to the Net's success,
  • Counting on the Internet (summary of findings).

Computer Networks (CITS3230), Lecture 7, p2, 28th April 2008.