Data communications vs. distributed computing (abstract)

ABSTRACT

From my perspective, one of the more distressing aspects of the past fifteen years is the evolution of data communications and distributed computing into distinct and somewhat disconnected disciplines. It is getting to the point where researchers in each discipline often don't really understand what is going on in the other discipline, even though the two disciplines are logically tightly linked to one another. In this talk I'll explore why I think the disconnection occurred (I'll argue it was due to Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt), why I think it matters (we are each consumers of each other's work), and what (if anything) we can do to increase communications (no pun intended!) between the two disciplines. While this may sound like the typical old fuddy-duddy talk, I'm going to give it a very technical spin. I will focus on key technical breakthroughs in data communications and distributed computing and examine how they have either not been communicated or have insufficiently communicated to the other field. My hope is that you'll feel you learned something by listening to me, even if you disagree with the thesis of my talk.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

General Terms:
Documentation, Management