Introduction
Yin and Yang, why and how, Business Model and technology,
A look at the big picture of computer networking precursors leading up to the Internet.
From the beginning of computer networking growth, there is a forest of networking activity to consider beyond the singular Internet tree. Today, almost all publications about the history of computer networking are limited to description of the government path to the Internet but ignore the many other historical computer networking building blocks.
This book focuses on historical precursors to the Internet computer networking business models and the technologies used to deliver the required network services.
Chapter one highlights the rapid growth of the dominate commercial networking service provider that delivered the first Internet Business Model precursor in 1983. The government had just began adopting that Business Model in 1988. It is the origin of the open “any to any when authorized” Business Model.
Included in other chapters; the first production government computer network, the first production commercial computer network and published documents about historical computer network activity.
Chapter 1
IBM Information Network, The first Internet Business Model
Have you heard of the IBM Information Network (IBM IN)? The IBM Information Network was the first network specifically designed and implemented to interconnect all networks worldwide and to be open permitting “any to any” when authorized electronic communication. In 1988, the United States government officially documented that they recognized their networking activity could not compete with the commercial business model. That is the year they adopted the IBM IN open commercial business model. Thus, the 1983 IBM information Network is the business model the government adopted in 1988 for their Internet business model.
Sadly, few people know that IBM IN made significant contributions toward the origination of the Internet and remote computing. Between the announcement in February 2, 1982, to being sold to ATT in 1997, it became the worldwide leader in providing Internet type services. It pioneered the development and delivery of both interconnected network services and remote computing services which are now referred to as the Internet or cloud computing.
Network Services Marketing Guide 1985
“Reprint Courtesy of IBM Corporation ©“
IBM’s contribution to the Internet should not be lost
Without the use of formal documentation, the IBM IN contribution to the development of the Internet may be lost to history just as Gustave Whitehead’s contribution to aviation is lost. However, with supporting documentation, the IBM IN contribution to the development of the Internet may be recognized just as Nikola Tesla’s story was revived.
The included historical documentation from the period are self-explaining. My commentary does not replace but simply supplements the historical documents.
Don E Sprague
IBM IN: A Brief History
IBM IN became the fastest growing of all network service providers. It was the most successful pre-IP internet type service provider of all the various VANs and online service providers. It continued the growth through the 1980s and 1990s. It eventually changed protocol from IBM SNA to IP. The act of changing protocol did not make it an internet provider. It was an internet provider when it was a VAN before it changed to IP to become an ISP.
During the rapid growth pre-IP phase, it acquired a competing Value-Added Network that was delivered by Sears. The combined larger VAN became known as Advantis. After a short period as Advantis, it became the IBM Global Network. Before it made the switch to IP to becoming another ISP in the 1990s, it was the biggest customer of the three largest telephone companies in the USA. In addition to using more transmission facilities of the three phone companies than any of their other customers, it had significant in-house owned transmission facilities. After the conversion to the Internet Protocol, the IBM Global Network operation was purchased by AT&T.
From Syd Heaton, General Manager IBM information Network 1984.
IBM Information Network/ADVANTIS Introductory Comments
When I was asked and accepted the invitation to become General Manager of the IBM information Network in 1984, I had very little idea what that organization was all about. But as I began to be briefed by the network professionals, I discovered several things. The people in the Network were totally dedicated to its purpose. The mission of the organization was sound, and the solution was needed in the marketplace. Significant software development still needed to be done. And a creative marketing approach was required to introduce the Network and its offerings to the marketplace. And, finally, the financial performance of the network had to dramatically improve, from significant financial losses to significant financial profit for the organization to survive. Incredible technical skills, inter-organizational teamwork, and never wavering focus by the entire management team allowed all these things to happen. These successes allowed the IBM Information Network to grow and eventually merge with a large telecommunications organization from Sears, into an IBM majority owned, stand-alone company called ADVANTIS. And the rest is history.
Syd Heaton, former GM of IIN and Chairman and CEO of ADVANTIS
1982, NY times article.
https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/03/business/ibm-will-rent-time-on-its-units.html?searchResultPosition=1
In 1979, the IBM Information was initiated through executive action. The initial design was Remote Computing Services with a network to provide access to the computing services. In 1983, it expanded focus to Value Added Network Services in conjunction the Insurance Value Added Network Services contract. In 1983, it adopted the Electronic Customer Support Architecture and Strategy. In 1987, It conducted a Quantum Leap Program. That was a program initiated by the Chairman of IBM to accelerate the host connections to the IBM Information Network.
1988, the government adopt the commercial Business Model. That is the year they said their networking activity could not compete with the Commercial Business Model. They switched from their closed limited access model that prohibited any business or social networking to the open commercial Business Model that was specifically designed to permit “any to any” when authorized including all the things the Internet is known for today.