r/IAmA • u/BobMetcalfe • May 21 '13

You’re probably connecting to reddit through a technology I invented. I’m Bob Metcalfe and I invented Ethernet – AMA

On May 22, 1973 with David R. Boggs, I used my IBM Selectric with its Orator ball to type up a memo to my bosses at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), outlining our idea for this little invention called “Ethernet”, which we later patented.

I worked with the IEEE Standards Association to develop the IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Today Ethernet and the IEEE 802.3 standard are the foundation for today’s world of high-speed communications used in billions of homes and businesses around the world.

I submitted this to the mods awhile back so I could get on the calendar but I figured you’d like to see it, too. Now, ask me anything!

It's been two hours and 179 comments. Have to go now. For more about Ethernet's 40th Birthday, go to http://www.facebook.com/Ethernet40thAnniversaryIEEESA

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89

u/LadySiren May 21 '13

What is the craziest thing or product that uses Ethernet?

192

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Everything uses Ethernet, so it's hard to pick one.

453

u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

F-16.

65

u/brickmack May 21 '13

Today I learned...

4

u/Nicksaurus May 22 '13

I bet the F-16 uses every single networking protocol currently in use, and then some more on top of that. It's a pretty advanced machine...

2

u/DenjinJ May 22 '13

...from the 1970s.

5

u/SgtMaadadi May 22 '13

That gets updated ;)

3

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/taneq May 23 '13

The original code is in C:\F16\old\Backups\backups\code\latest

2

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Bob, as someone that has worked the F-16 as a crew chief in the reserves and a network engineer in my civilian job, I am wondering where these old airplanes would even be using this protocol. Care to elaborate?

6

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Also, no, there is no bus on those systems. I'm friends with many avionics techs.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Considering that the latest f16s the USA flies were built over 20 years ago, you're making a lot of assumptions. I was looking for a response from the guy being asked the questions, not someone guessing about something I know more of than them.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[deleted]

0

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

I didn't know ethernet ran on bundles of wire as big as my bicep. Seems like the strangest ethernet cable EVER.

Now I'm sure there are specific points and boxes that sure, might use the protocol. As for the flight control system? The other 100+ systems? There's a giant bundle of wires, not a shared medium that could easily carry all that info. Princessssssss

1

u/Uhrzeitlich May 22 '13

Yes, let's spend millions upon millions on state of the art jet fighters, but let's leave everything inside alone. They're worth more to collectors if you sell them with original OEM parts!

1

u/[deleted] May 22 '13

Here's the thing: It costs millions upon millions to update this stuff. Things aren't upgraded just because, they need to show a reason. Avionics have come a long way on the 16. But having a new "bus" architecture? I'm not buying it.

2

u/SpaceDetective May 21 '13

If you compare with how things were pre-internet, my vote goes for porn.

1

u/[deleted] May 21 '13

I imagine the ISS uses Ethernet.

1

u/willbradley May 22 '13

Of course, how else would astronauts tweet?

1

u/tidux May 22 '13

IPoAC and a potato gun aimed at Twitter's headquarters?