{
  "id": 13919614,
  "title": "Celebrating the brilliant pragmatism of TCP/IP, the wiring of the world",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/celebrating-the-brilliant-pragmatism-of-tcp-ip-the-wiring-of-the-world-13919614",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-12T09:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/columnists/2026/10/12/celebrating-the-brilliant-pragmatism-of-tcp/ip-the-wiring-of-the-world/5302202"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 1988, a trio of men in East London were pioneering the creation of low-cost local area networks (LANs). Amidst a lack of standards, a young programmer was captivated by an emerging protocol called TCP/IP. To implement it, he first had to finish integrating IBM's PC networking API, NetBIOS, into a DOS environment. This involved extensive research via library books, magazine articles, and discussions on Usenet over kilobit dial-up.\n\nInitially, attempting to build the TCP/IP stack using ISO/OSI's seven-layer model proved challenging, but perseverance led to a functional network. Now, nearly four decades later, the programmer is a seasoned Reg columnist. The technological landscape has transformed drastically, yet one constant remains: everything communicates over TCP/IP.\n\nTCP/IP's genius lies in its simplicity and flexibility. IP handles packet transmission between addresses without guaranteeing delivery, while TCP ensures reliable, ordered data flow. This separation allows for the coexistence of alternative protocols, such as Homa, which aims to alleviate congestion. This adaptability was instrumental in TCP/IP's success over rival protocols like IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).\n\nIn 1983, ARPANET transitioned from the NCP protocol to TCP/IP, marking a significant milestone in networking history. The protocol's open and collaborative development allowed it to overcome its own challenges, becoming indispensable for interconnecting devices worldwide. This spirit of innovation has enabled the internet to grow exponentially, despite initial concerns about congestion and scalability.\n\nAs the internet expanded, IPv4's limited address space became apparent, leading to the introduction of IPv6 in 1995. However, a router kludge called NAT allowed IPv4 to continue functioning alongside IPv6, preserving compatibility with existing devices. Despite occasional quirks, TCP/IP remains a testament to human ingenuity, providing the foundation for our interconnected world.\n\nOn January 1, let's celebrate the brilliance of TCP/IP, a global data ecosystem that continues to evolve and thrive. Let's designate this day as Flag Day, honoring the open, flexible, and ingenious protocol that has revolutionized communication and enabled the digital world we know today.",
  "summary": "Nothing this old should scale this well. Yet here these words are",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Celebrating the brilliant pragmatism of TCP/IP, the wiring of the world",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/celebrating-the-brilliant-pragmatism-of-tcp-ip-the-wiring-of-the-world",
        "published": "2026-10-12T09:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}