Introduction to Data Communications
10. Brief History of Networking

10. Brief History of Networking

The following is a brief history of computers, networking and telecommunication milestones:

1. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) credited to Braun in 1897

2. Teletype (telegraph 5 bit) during WW1

3. ARQ (Automatic Repeat reQuest) credited to Van Duuren during WWII

error checking and auto request for retransmission

4. ENIAC credited to DOD / MIT during WWII

Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator
Used for decoding enemy messages
1st generation computer: used vacuum tubes
Programmed with jumpers and switches
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure): 7 minutes
337 multiplications per second

5. SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) MIT 1950s

23 centres for ground/air enemy detection systems
error checking, keyboard & CRT terminals
duplexed computers, voice grade (300-4KHz)
300 baud, light pens, multiuser system
magnetic core memory
Ground to air data Tx
1st commercial use was Sabre Reservation System

6. Jacquard's Loom

First programmable machine

7. Transistorized Computers - 2nd Generation 1960s

One of the 1st inventors: Cray
Batch programming: 1 pgm @ a time
Punch cards
Stored programs: held in memory
50K instructions/second
ex. IBM 7905

8. CTSS (Compatible Time Sharing System) credited to Cobato/MIT in 1961

time slices multiusers

9. Synchronous Orbit Communication Satellites. Idea by Arthur C. Clarke in 1945

Geostationary orbit around equator by Rose/Hughes Aerospace in1963
36,000 miles altitude

10. LASER credited to Maiman in 1960

A narrow band source of optical radiation suitable for use as a carrier of info.
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

11. T-1 Carrier System credited to Bell Labs in 1961

TDM (Time Domain Multiplexing)
24 channels = 64 Kbps ea.
1.544 Mbps (mega bits per sec)

12. RS232 developed in 1960 and revised since.

Standard plug and "protocol" convention between modems and machines: 25 pin
Europe uses V.24 compatible standard

13. Auto Equalization Techniques of Phone lines credited to Lucky et al. in 1965

adapt to characteristics of telephone line to increase speed

14. Fibre Glass credited to Kao & Hockman in 1966

proposed "fibre glass " optics developed at Standard Telecom Labs

15. Integrated Circuits Computers - 3rd Generation - 1967

SSI/MSI (Small Scale Integration/Medium Scale Integration)
10 transistors/chip and 100 transistors/chip
Multi-user systems
Multitasking

16. Carterfone - FCC Decision in 1968 -

FCC decision allows other manufacturer's to use phone lines
opens up competition among phone systems

17. Low-loss Fibre credited to Kapron in 1970

speeds: 45-90 Mbps developed at Corning Glass Works
1984: attained 405-565 Mbps in single mode
Early 1990s: attained 1.7 Gbps

18. ARPA Network (ARPANET) developed by the DOD in the 1970s

Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defence - US
1st use of Packet Switching, layered protocols
Beginning of the Internet

19. VLSI Integration - 4th Generation Computers developed by Intel in 1971

Very large scale integration: 20,000+ transistors/chip
Intel 4004 microprocessor - 4 bit
Grandparent of processors today

20. Layered Network Architecture

SNA: System Network Architecture IBM Mainframe
DNA: Digital Network Architecture DEC for DECNET

21. Ethernet developed by Xerox in 1974 -

Ether is the mysterious invisible fluid that transfers heat
Originally based on the ALOHA radio protocol

22. Videotex developed by Teletel (France) in the 1980s

Interactive video Minitel

23. Reference Model for Open Systems Interconnect developed by the ISO in 1983

Continuously evolving model for layering network protocols

24. AT&T Divestiture in 1984 -

Break-up of AT&T monopoly into Baby Bells

25. ISDN developed in 1984 -

Integrated Services Digital Network
Strong in Europe
A network evolving from a telephony integrated digital network supporting: voice, teletex, videotex, fax, slowscan video, etc..

26. Linux Version 0.01 released Sept 17, 1991