History of Computer Networks: ARPANET & NSFNET

Evolution of Computer Networks and Services

• Networks enable PCs to share documents, information, and equipment like scanners and storage devices.
• It simplifies data gathering and administration and facilitates teamwork.
• The evolution of system administration began in the 1960s with ARPANET.
• The Internet is continuously upgraded with system innovations.

ARPANET

• ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) served as the foundation for the Internet.
• It was the first network, established in 1969 by ARPA and the US Department of Defence (DoD).
• ARPANET connected PCs at colleges and the DoD for information sharing, messaging, recreation, and perspective exchange.

NSFNET

• In the mid-1980s, NSFNET (National Science Federation Network) was created.
• It was a federal agency and became the first backbone infrastructure for the commercial public Internet.
• The primary goal of NSFNET was to use networks for academic research, not private business.
• Later, private businesses joined ARPANET and NSFNET, creating the Internet.

Internet

• The Internet is a network of networks that evolved from ARPANET, using TCP/IP to transmit information globally.
• It enables computers to exchange information.
• The Internet has become the financial communications method, that provides instant access to services like email, web-enabled audio/video conferencing, online movies and gaming, and more.

Internet History Timeline

• 1969: ARPANET was the first network, becoming the basis for the Internet.

• 1980s: NSFNET was more capable than ARPANET and aimed to use networks for academic research.

• 1990s: The Internet formed through the inter-networking of ARPANET, NSFNET, and private networks.

• The first email was sent in 1971, and computers started sharing information digitally in 1983.

• In the 1990s, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989, enabling website creation for everyone, not just businesses and computer scientists.

• By the 21st Century, the Internet became one of the most important inventions.

• Over five billion people use the Internet regularly for entertainment, life admin, work, and communication.

1980s: The Early Years

• The 1980s marked the first decade that the Internet resembled its modern form.
• Early Internet connections utilized USENET, relying on phone modems.
• The BBC gained Internet access in 1989 through Brunel University.
• In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN in Switzerland, which created web browsers and websites, enabling access to visual media online.
• Without the World Wide Web, the Internet would be used for functional tasks like emails and file sharing, not as a source of information, content, and communication.

1990s: Much Ado About Dial-Up

• Dial-up internet emerged in the 1990s; commercial ISPs offered connections to households.
• AOL and other web browsers were sold on CD-ROMs with free trials.
• Chat rooms became popular for discussing shared interests.
• Websites increased rapidly for learning, shopping, and socializing.
• Amazon, Google, eBay, IMDb, and Yahoo launched in the 1990s, leading to the Dot-com bubble.
• The Internet required full use of home phone lines, causing conflicts and the need for second lines.
• Dial-up connections ran at a slow 56kbps.
• The '90s dial-up Internet had fundamental issues that limited access to the full potential of the World Wide Web.

2000s: The Arrival of Broadband

• Broadband emerged in the early 2000s, allowing the signal in one line to be split between telephone and Internet.
• The UK's first home broadband was installed in 2000 in Basildon, Essex by NTL.
• Early broadband was expensive and not widely available, with only 9% UK usage by 2001.
• Broadband rollout in the UK lagged behind countries like Sweden and Germany.
• Broadband networks enabled faster downloads and opened up a world of online media.
• The dot-com bubble burst, which led to the growth of entertainment and social media.
• BT established Openreach in 2006 to improve broadband access for other providers.
• By 2008, Internet data demand increased.
• Fibre-optic broadband allowed faster Internet speeds through light pulses.
• The 2000s also brought 3G and smartphones, enabling mobile Internet connectivity.
• By the end of the 2000s, the Internet became a household staple, with computers and smartphones becoming widespread.

2010s: Streaming, Social Media, and Speed

• The 2010s saw the Internet becoming essential for streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
• Social media became popular, with 3.5 billion sharing their lives online.
• Broadband speeds increased via fibre connections and 4G mobile internet.
• In 2015, the UK recognized broadband as a utility and issued a universal service obligation.
• By 2019, alternative networks (alt-nets) began supplying full fibre connections.
• It became usual worldwide, working in the background for work, play and socialising.

2020s: Working from Home, 5G and a Full Fibre Future.

• The COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020's increased pressure on home broadband for work and learning.
• It highlighted the digital divide and need for Internet accessibility.
• Broadband statistics in 2022 showed many broadband complaints.
• Full fibre connections and 5G rollout helped supply ultrafast speeds.
• A gigabit rollout will ensure homes can handle high-data activities in the future.

1G: The Birth of Cellular Communication

• 1G cellular networks emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
• AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) in the United States marked a shift from landline telephony.
• 1G networks provided voice calls only with poor sound quality but laid the foundation for mobile communication.

2G: Digital Revolution

• 2G networks emerged in the early 1990s.
• These networks transitioned from analog to digital.
• This shift introduced text messaging (SMS) and set the stage for the mobile internet era.

3G: The Dawn of Mobile Internet

• 3G networks launched in the early 2000s.
• These networks supported data transmission, enabling mobile internet access.
• UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) provided faster data.
• 3G networks transformed mobile phones into multifunctional devices for mobile browsing, video calling, and streaming.

4G: Broadband in Your Pocket

• Fourth-generation (4G) networks emerged in the late 2000s.
• LTE (Long-Term Evolution) was the standard for 4G, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps and beyond.
• Made mobile networks as powerful as home broadband.
• Widespread adoption of 4G fostered the growth of the digital economy.

5G: The Era of Hyperconnectivity

• 5G networks began in 2019.
• They promise speeds up to 10 Gbps, ultra-low latency, and the capacity to connect billions of devices.
• They also enable the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and advanced industrial automation.

Looking Ahead: 5G Advanced and 6G

• 5G Advanced aims to enhance coverage, energy efficiency, and network reliability.
• 6G is envisioned as the next frontier, offering higher speeds and pervasive connectivity.
• Early discussions suggest that 6G will offer even higher speeds (up to 100 Gbps), near-instantaneous communication, and pervasive connectivity.
• The evolution from 1G to 5G has been a journey of innovation.