In the past decades, datacenter networking has evolved significantly, moving from simple, proprietary technologies to complex frameworks. Dr. Andrew Herbert highlights early systems like the Elliott 900 minicomputer series, which required cooperation for multi-user activity, and reflects on earlier networking methods. He notes the 1960s pioneering work of Donald Davies at the National Physical Laboratory, who developed packet switching. Mainframe manufacturers created incompatible network protocols, leading to user frustrations, especially during technological integrations. The transition from these simplified architectures to today’s rich networking technologies underscores the challenges and advancements in the field.
Mainframe manufacturers defined their own proprietary network protocol stacks, e.g., IBM System Network Architecture, Digital's DECNet. These generally ran over leased lines between datacenters.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the world of networking was very different; mainframe manufacturers sold adapters to link proprietary networks.
Users were frustrated combining businesses with different technology choices due to the incompatibility of proprietary protocols.
NPL’s team led by Donald Davies pioneered packet switching in 1965, changing the landscape of networking.
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