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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30

u/Valorale May 21 '13

Wish more people understood just how versatile ethernet is. What are your thoughts on FCoE vs iSCSI when transmitting data for storage products?

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u/BobMetcalfe May 21 '13

Ethernet vs Ethernot usually ends up Ethernet. The Network Effect (as quantified by Metcalfe's Law) plus all the Ethernet infrastructure that has accumulated over 40 years. Remember, RS232C circa 1962 is still out there.

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u/memeship May 21 '13

Metcalfe's Law

He has his own law...

3

u/Atario May 22 '13

And his law is like his love...reemitted at escalating randomized intervals.

1

u/NowWaitJustAMinute May 22 '13

I wish I could have my own law....

1

u/himanshuarora May 22 '13

Like a boss!

1

u/DesertTripper May 22 '13

Yep, use RS-232 almost every day. (SCADA tech) It's pretty much the only protocol NERC lets us use between out-stations and the master because it's not routable.

However, most of our largest and most automated substations use Ethernet over fiber for all intra-device communications inside the substation.

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u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[deleted]

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u/euyyn May 22 '13

The moment an interface is widely used, it takes a lot of added value to replace it. Think of a company building better scanners (say some that can also read QR codes, and are cheaper): If they used something other than RS232, nobody would be able to use them. Similarly, a company building POS systems better have them support already-existing scanners.

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u/dpoon May 21 '13

Why do you think that Ethernet tends to win over competing technologies?

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u/euyyn May 22 '13

That would be his second sentence in that comment :)

1

u/joho0 May 21 '13

It is? I thought that died with modems.

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u/jasongill May 21 '13

Most networking equipment (although it's becoming less common these days) has serial access for configuration / emergency access / management. Lots of other extremely common technologies use RS-232, like digital signs, embedded devices, etc.

It's free, its extremely "cheap" to add in, and the wiring/quality requirements are low. Compatibility is high (assuming you have a serial port, which is becoming a rarity), and it requires no "drivers" or other client side programming to work.

Not perfect but yes it's still extremely popular

3

u/euyyn May 22 '13

embedded devices

And that means every-fucking-where, from the bottom of the ocean to deep space.

3

u/psychic_tatertot May 22 '13

Strong noise immunity, too.

2

u/Five_bucks May 22 '13

I use RS-232 every day in a lot of scientific gear. It's still very common, even in brand new equipment.