Life After Internet: Making Room For New Applications – Information Technology Quarterly

Harvard University Information Technology Quarterly issue on Building an Information Infrastructure, Summer 1991, Vol. IX, No. 2, 12-21, with C. C. Catlett.

Introduction

Over the years there has been tremendous growth on the Internet in the number of users, networks, and the amount of traffic. The kinds of work that can be done has changed from basic remote login, file transfer, and electronic mail, to the creation of animated simulations that can be viewed and manipulated by colleagues in remote locations. Even the user has changed-from primarily computer scientists to scientists, academics, researchers, and others who have no particular expertise in computers.

The Internet has evolved toward higher performance technology, more users, and more advanced services largely because of the availability of applications that allow for greater productivity. As the network moves to-ward gigabit/sec technology, advanced applications and new modes of using the network will place additional demands on the system. They will bring change not only to the architecture of the network but also to the policies and management structures which govern its use.