On Distributed Communications

VI. Mini-Cost Microwave

by Paul Baran

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One in a series of eleven Memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, a proposed digital data communications system based on a distributed network concept. It is a detailed consideration of a possible design for the network's communication links, based on the use of microwave repeater stations. Of several possible link designs examined, the mini-cost microwave appears least expensive. The mini-cost system is designed solely for use in transmitting digital signals within the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network. Many of its specific facets, however, may be of use in other microwave applications.

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On Distributed Communications

V. History, Alternative Approaches, and Comparisons

by Paul Baran

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One in a series of eleven Memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, a proposed digital data communications system based on a distributed network concept. It is primarily a background paper acknowledging the efforts of people in many fields working toward the development of large communications systems where reliability and survivability are mandatory. As these requirements become increasingly stringent, one is forced to consider new and more complicated systems than might otherwise be preferred. Because this is a new field of study, its terminology has been borrowed from different specialties and is inconsistent. This Memorandum connects the previous items in the series, concerned with the system concept and early modeling studies, with the remaining volumes, detailing the actual design and implementation of a network of the type proposed.

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On Distributed Communications

IV. Priority, Precedence, and Overload

by Paul Baran

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One in a series of eleven Memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, a proposed digital data communications system based on a distributed network concept. It is concerned with the establishment of traffic precedence doctrines designed to achieve optimum utilization of the communications resource, especially within a seriously degraded and overloaded network.

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On Distributed Communications

III. Determination of Path-Lengths in a Distributed Network

by J. W. Smith

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One in a series of eleven Memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, a proposed digital data communications system based on a distributed network concept. Results of investigations into the behavior of distributed communications networks under various loading conditions are reported. A mathematical model and a deterministic equation for predicting the distribution of message path-lengths are derived and evaluated. A SCAT-encoded simulation program that corrects deficiencies of earlier simulations is described.

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On Distributed Communications

II. Digital Simulation of Hot-Potato Routing in a Broadband Distributed Communications Network

by Paul Baran, Sharla P. Boehm

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One in a series of eleven Memoranda detailing the Distributed Adaptive Message Block Network, a proposed digital data communications system based on a distributed network concept. It describes preliminary computer simulation of a message routing scheme investigated as part of a study of ways of reducing the vulnerability of command and control communications networks. This routing doctrine, referred to as the “hot-potato” switching doctrine, differs from normal store-and-forward switching in that it permits an apparent real-time transmission of data even though it itself uses store-and-forward techniques.

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Swarming and the Future of Conflict

by John Arquilla, David Ronfeldt

Related Topics: Military Force Planning, National Security

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Swarming is a seemingly amorphous, but deliberately structured, coordinated, strategic way to perform military strikes from all directions. It employs a sustainable pulsing of force and/or fire that is directed from both close-in and stand-off positions. It will work best — perhaps it will only work — if it is designed mainly around the deployment of myriad, small, dispersed, networked maneuver units. This calls for an organizational redesign — involving the creation of platoon-like pods joined in company-likeclusters — that would keep but retool the most basic military unit structures. It is similar to the corporate redesign principle of flattening, which often removes or redesigns middle layers of management. This has proven successful in the ongoing revolution in business affairs and may prove equally useful in the military realm. From command and control ofline units to logistics, profound shifts will have to occur to nurture this new way of war. This study examines the benefits — and also the costs and risks — of engaging in such serious doctrinal change. The emergence of a military doctrine based on swarming pods and clusters requires that defense policymakers develop new approaches to connectivity and control and achieve a new balance between the two. Far more than traditional approachesto battle, swarming clearly depends upon robust information flows. Securing these flows, therefore, can be seen as a necessary condition for successful swarming.

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The Global Course of the Information Revolution

Political, Economic, and Social Consequences Proceedings of an International Conference

by Richard Hundley, Robert H. Anderson, Tora K. Bikson, James A. Dewar, Jerrold D. Green, Martin C. Libicki, C. Richard Neu

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RAND has embarked on a three-year effort, sponsored by the National Intelligence Council's Strategic Estimates Program, to chart the course of changes brought about by the information revolution over the next 10 to 20 years. As a first step, RAND convened in November 1999 an international conference on political/governmental, business/financial, and social/cultural trends. Across the diverse conference discussions, a shared vision emerged of an information revolution future of more "information work" and new business models, an increase in electronic commerce, challenges to the nation state, creation of a number of sub-, trans-, and supranational groupings, more porous borders, and new fault lines within and between nations. The world can expect increasing disparities (winners and losers), concerns about privacy, and effects on national cultures.

Table of Contents

Preface

Figures

Tables

Summary

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Introduction

Part I

Some Initial Considerations

Chapter 2

Social and Organizational Consequences of the Information Revolution

Chapter 3

The Technology Underpinnings for the Information Revolution

Part II

Various Dimensions of the Information Revolution

Chapter 4

The Political/Governmental Dimension of the Information Revolution

Chapter 5

The Business/Financial Dimension of the Information Revolution

Chapter 6

The Social/Cultural Dimension of the Information Revolution

Part III

How The Information Revolution May Play Out In Various Regions Of The World

Chapter 7

Three National/Regional Shapshots

Chapter 8

North, Central, and South America

Chapter 9

Europe PDF

Chapter 10

The Asia Pacific Region

Chapter 11

Middle East, Africa, and South Asia

Part IV

Concluding Remarks

Chapter 12

Major Conference Themes: An Integration and Summary

Chapter 13

What Comes Next

Appendix A

Conference Participants

Appendix B

Conference Agenda

Bibliography

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Information and Biological Revolutions

Global Governance Challenges — Summary of a Study Group

by Francis Fukuyama, Caroline S. Wagner

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This report summarizes the issues that arose and the discussions held during the meetings of a 1998-1999 study group focusing on global governance of information technology and biotechnology. The goal was to bring a policy perspective to bear on a discussion of new technological developments through a series of free-flowing and exploratory presentations and discussions.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Introduction: Governance Challenges of the Dual Revolutions in Information and Biotechnology

Chapter Two

The Promise and Challenge of Emerging Technologies

Chapter Three

The Problem of Governance

Chapter Four

Possible Government Actions: Conclusions and Recommendations

Appendix A

Evolution on the Timescale of Thought and Action: Darwinian Approaches to Language, Planning and Consciousness, and Some Lessons from Paleoclimate About How to Speed up Evolution

Appendix B

Quantum Theory and Human Consciousness

Appendix C

Morals, Demonic Males and Evolutionary Psychology

Appendix D

Implications for Public Policy of the Information and Communications Revolution

Appendix E

Biology, History, and Social Organization

Appendix F

Triumph or Tragedy: the Moral Meaning of Genetic Technology

Appendix G

The Conversion of Genetics and Computing: Implications for Medicine, Society, and Individual Identity

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