On Distributed Communications

Summary Overview

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 summarizes the development of the system proposal. The more salient features of the system (given in greater detail in the other Memoranda in the series) are outlined, giving the casual reader an overview of the network. A reading of the introductory number of the series (RM-3420) and this one should suffice for a general understanding of it. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of the system are given and will greatly facilitate critical evaluation of the system's feasibility. (See also RM-3097, RM-3103, RM-3420, RM-3578, RM-3638, RM-3762 through RM-3766.)

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On Distributed Communications

X. Cost Estimate

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 presents the equipment cost estimates for a proposed system based on an arbitrary network configuration consisting of 400 switching nodes servicing 100,000 simultaneous users via 200 principal multiplexing stations. Potentially the network can be expanded to handle more than one million users.

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On Distributed Communications:

IX. Security, Secrecy, and Tamper-Free Considerations

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 considers the security aspects of such a system, in which secrecy is of great importance. Present security concepts are based on an implied assumption that any "cleared" person must be trusted and that any "uncleared" person is a potential spy. Further, information is either classified or not. From time to time one wonders if these binary attitudes are really a valid basis on which to predicate a military communications systems. This Memorandum, in which the underlying concepts and resulting safeguards to be built into the network are described, is written on the basis of fully anticipating the existance of spies within our ostensibly secure communications secrecy protection structure; hence, our primary interest is in raising the price of espied information to an excessive level.

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On Distributed Communications

VIII. The Multiplexing Station

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 describes the multiplexing stations that connect subscribers to switching nodes (detailed in RM-3763-PR) of the proposed broadband distributed network. The description is presented in engineering detail, showing how the station can process simultaneously traffic from as many as 1024 separate users, sending a mixture of start-stop teletype signals and synchronous signals at various rates.

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On Distributed Communications

VII. Tentative Engineering Specifications and Preliminary Design for a High-Data-Rate Distributed Network Switching Node

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 considers the engineering specifications of the proposed system's switching node. It is felt that a small, unmanned switching node (yet having higher throughput rates than current large installations occupying thousands of square feet and requiring many people to maintain operations) can be built. The network proposal revolves around the feasibility of using this small, unmanned switching node.

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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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