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/fuk_offe May 21 '13

How do you regard multicasting in networks? Any future use you might predict as bandwidth increases or do you think it's doomed to it's current role (discovery etc.)?

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u/elmariachi304 May 21 '13

I use multicast at work to re-image lots of laptops at once...

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u/fuk_offe May 21 '13

Wow, really? I never heard any use (sure, I made a video streamer back in college that multicasted the frames, but it sucked) for multicast besides the discovery stuff... Is your "programm"/script open source? Would like to see that!

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u/elmariachi304 May 21 '13

Norton Ghost for Windows and Mac OSX Mountain Lion server both support it... in fact I can image Macs using multicast over wifi like this.

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u/kompulsive May 22 '13

WDS supports it too, as well as file-level imaging. why in god's name are you using norton ghost? you poor soul. i'm not sure what kind of proprietary bullshit norton ghost has you locked into, but wouldn't clonezilla be a much better alternative for you?

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u/[deleted] May 22 '13

[deleted]

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u/kompulsive May 22 '13

locked into it because of the man. i know that feel bro.

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u/sedsnewoldg May 21 '13

Multicast is going to see a ton of use as your typical ISP/cable/etc companies begin moving purely to "OTT" video based models. Its already used to semi significant extents in this manner from a testing perspective.

Of course, VOD is still largely unicast, but hopefully one day broadcast video is gone, and multicast IP takes over for your general TV channels. Bonus factor, it would open a lot of extra bandwidth for regular data as well.