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Chapter 19 - Why The Internet Works Well

  1. Introduction
  2. The Internet Works Well
  3. IP Provides Flexibility [uses "layered protocol" approach]
    The Internet Protocol accommodates many types of hardware because it makes almost no assumptions about the underlying network hardware.
    Because TCP/IP standards documents specify the exact way to send IP datagrams on a given type of network, computers and routers from multiple vendors always agree on the details.
  4. TCP Provides Reliabilty
    Because it constantly monitors conditions on the Internet and automatically adapts, TCP makes reliable communication possible even when the Internet experiences temporary congestion.
  5. TCP/IP Software Was Engineered For Efficiency
  6. TCP/IP Research Emphaisized Practical Results
  7. The Formula For Success
    • TCP/IP protocol software and the Internet were designed by talented, dedicated people.
    • The Internet was a dream that inspired and challenged the research team.
    • Researchers were allowed to experiment, even when there was no short-term economic payoff. Indeed, Internet research often used new, innovative technologies that were expensive compared to existing technologies.
    • Instead of dreaming about a system that solved all problems, researchers built the Internet to operate efficiently.
    • Researchers insisted that each part of the Internet work well in practice before they adopted it as a standard.
    • Internet technology solves an important, practical problem, the problem occurs whenever an organization has multiple networks.

Terms

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