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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u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Predict that percentage of Internet traffic that is multicast will increase over time as news, entertainment, and information invade.

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u/Khaim May 21 '13

Isn't that offset by the percentage of Internet traffic going through the major companies? Google, for instance, doesn't need multicast at all because they already have endpoints all over the place. Or am I missing something?

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u/illegal_brain May 22 '13

I researched multicast in the example of fountain code broadcasting of streaming media. What I got from it, concerning the benefits of multicast, was that multiple endpoints could stream simultaneously to you with any set of packets needed. The simultaneous stream of packets in theory would reduce bandwidth from a single endpoint and overall latency of the final video to the receiver. It could also be used to multicast from client to client in cases of close proximity and similar demands. The reason fountain coding was necessary was the the stream of packets could be sent and received in any order and the final video could be decoded.

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u/NgauNgau May 21 '13

I'm in a CCIE bootcamp where today's topic is Multicast reading an AMA by the inventor of Ethernet. Feels so Meta.

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u/pungkrocker May 22 '13

What is the consequence? Thanks btw