The Vision for Networks and Their Management

Abstract

The future belongs to those who harness the computer to communication networks. The bringing together of byte people with bit people is essential if this future is to happen. Byte people worry about getting data from networks into computers so that applications software can digest it while bit people worry about getting data from one point to another reliably and quickly. Too often byte and bit people fight about whose work is more important. Both are essential as we move to a telepresence society.

Computers must become so easy to use and data so easy to access that they can solve commuting, education and health problems facing cities around the world. Telecommuting demands will drive the information highway that once built will support teleducation and teledoctoring. Of course, entertainment will come along too.

Too often we do not mention the critical role of software when we discuss the future of computers and communications. This software is key to managing new voice, data, and video networks and even more importantly the wide variety of services they will provide.

Telepresence engineers have an ethical responsibility to make sure that our new systems are safe and work to the betterment of mankind. Commercial success is not enough as lives will depend on the correct and continuous operations of our systems.

This paper describes the technological breakthroughs needed to make the future happen. Special attention is given to software and network reliability issues.