ARPANET

Definition

ARPANET, or the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, was the first operational packet-switching network and is considered a precursor to the modern Internet. Developed in the late 1960s by the U.S. Department of Defense, it enabled multiple computers to communicate on a single network, laying the foundation for future networking technologies and protocols.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ARPANET was launched in 1969 and initially connected four university computers: UCLA, Stanford Research Institute, UC Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah.
2. The network used packet switching technology, which allowed for efficient data transmission by sending small packets rather than entire files at once.
3. ARPANET was instrumental in the development of key networking protocols like TCP/IP, which are still fundamental to Internet communication today.
4. As more institutions and users connected to ARPANET, it expanded beyond military and academic uses, showcasing the potential for global communication.
5. The first successful message sent over ARPANET was 'LOGIN' in October 1969; however, only the letters 'L' and 'O' were transmitted before the system crashed.

Review Questions

• How did ARPANET influence the development of modern networking technologies?
  • ARPANET had a significant impact on modern networking by introducing packet switching, which transformed how data is transmitted across networks. This method allowed multiple users to share a single communication line efficiently. The development of key protocols such as TCP/IP emerged from ARPANET's architecture, setting standards that remain in use today. This innovation paved the way for the creation of the Internet as we know it.
• In what ways did ARPANET expand its user base beyond its original military and academic intentions?
  • ARPANET began as a project primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Defense for military research and academic collaboration. However, as more universities and research institutions recognized its potential, they sought access to connect their computers. Over time, ARPANET became an essential tool for sharing research data and resources among a broader community. This shift demonstrated how networking could facilitate communication beyond its initial scope.
• Evaluate the significance of packet switching technology as introduced by ARPANET and its implications for future networking.
  • The introduction of packet switching by ARPANET revolutionized data communication by allowing multiple data packets to be sent over a single network channel simultaneously. This technology made networks more efficient and resilient compared to traditional circuit-switching methods. Its significance extends beyond ARPANET; packet switching became fundamental to the design of modern networks and was integral in shaping Internet architecture. By enabling diverse applications and services, packet switching continues to influence how we connect and communicate globally.

Related terms

Packet Switching: A method of data transmission where data is broken into packets that are sent independently over the network and reassembled at the destination.

TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a set of communication protocols used for interconnecting network devices on the Internet, originally developed as part of ARPANET.

Network Topology: The arrangement of different elements (links, nodes, etc.) in a computer network, which was influenced by ARPANET's design and structure.