May 9, 2005

A question commonly asked by world travelers is, "What is the coin of the realm? What instrument of barter do I need to enjoy a mutually advantageous relationship with the local merchants?" Once the form of exchange is identified the next question is, "What is the rate of exchange?" Whether you are trading in 100 dollars US for the equivalent in Malaysian ringgits or Slovenian tolars, you have accomplished connectivity with the culture of the country you are visiting. Products and services can now change hands.

On the Internet there is a common coin. That coin is "end-to-end connectivity." The same "coin" is used throughout the Internet world. Without connectivity there would not be an Internet. Is connectivity guaranteed to every Network and ISP that wants it? The answer to that is really quite interesting. In this day of competition and suspicion, Internet connectivity is initially granted based on the simple faith that each Network will treat others as it would like others to treat it. Each Network pays one or several High Capacity Bandwidth Providers for a connection (ultimately) to the Internet Backbone. This is a contractual arrangement which can only be nullified through legal means.

However, after traffic from a Network hits the Backbone, there is nothing that says any other Network has to accept that traffic. The axiom is "My network, my rules" on each individual network. So, when username@sti.net sends an email to username@anotherdomain.com, it gets delivered through the good graces of any number of Networks between STI and anotherdomain plus the forbearance of anotherdomain. We return that favor by accepting incoming email from anotherdomain.com in the same fashion.

There are acts and inactions that can tarnish the coin, causing a break in the simple faith of other Networks. The result is a loss of connectivity to varying degrees. What could cause one Network or a set of Networks to stop accepting traffic from another Network? Clear and flagrant proof of misuse of the Internet. For instance, if an ISP were to allow unrestrained spamming, viral email, hacking or Web sites that attempt to defraud people then sooner or later the Internet community, via unofficial blacklists would cordon off that Network, isolating it from the rest of the Internet as much as possible. I think we all understand the concept of collateral damage. That exists on the Internet also. Some of the more militant blacklist organizations will actually end up blacklisting entire companies if one Subsidiary refuses to stop allowing flagrant spamming, hacking, the spread of viral emails, or the proliferation of sites designed to defraud people.

So if someday your computer is infected with a Mass Mailing virus, worm or spam trojan, remember the coin. If you let logic slip for a moment and think you can "make millions" by sending out spam to a "guaranteed opt-in mailing list for only $39.00!!!" and your account gets temporarily disabled, remember the coin. As long as STI and our wonderful Subscribers keep that coin shiny we'll all enjoy an unimpeded Internet experience. Oh yeah, the current rate of exchange for one Slovenian tolar is . . . well, check it out yourself at http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html.

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