July 2024

The Internet Way of Networking

Safeguarding the future of the Internet

Adrian Wan

Introduction
Founded in 1992, the Internet Society is a global charitableorganization advocating for an open, globally connected,secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone.
Our mission is to support and promote the development of
the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource
to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society.

2The Internet is for everyone

Overview of our work

Growing the Internet

Making the InternetStronger

The Internet needs our help tomaintain its critical properties
and be there for everyone.

Nearly a third of theworld’s population
is notconnected.

Empowering People
Attract, engage,
and strengthen ourwhole community.

4Connecting one of the most remote places in the world
The villages of Khunde andKhumjung in eastern Nepal are
extremely remote, cut off from theworld beyond by the mountains
that define them.
They are at an elevation of about
4000m and are a few kilometres off
the Everest Trail.

© Nyani Quarmyne5

In 2022, via local partner the Nepal InternetFoundation, the Internet Society teamed up
with the community to bring basic Internetconnectivity to the villages.
It is a community network: local networks
connected to the Internet built andmaintained by the communities who use them.

6Originally a research project, the Internet
is now everywhere.

How? Why?
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Comparing postal system & the Internet
To send mail, you need physical infrastructure:•Post offices

•

Roads

•

Airports•

RailwayTo transport any data across the Internet, like an email, youalso need physical infrastructure:•Undersea cables•

Fiber lines•

Ethernet•

5G and wireless technologies•

Bluetooth•Satellite connections

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Explaining the Internet through the Postal SystemTask

Postal System

Internet ProtocolLocation

Zip codes provide a numerical representation of a physical IP addresses provide a numerical representation of aplace. IETF at Hilton Union Square: 94109
server connected the Internet. IETF.org: 173.231.216.225
[941]
[09]
[01]
[24]
[173.231]
[216]
[225]
⇩⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
⇩
[DC] [Delivery Area][Ellis St][Building] Network
Subnetwork
ServerHumanStreet addresses provide a human readable
Domain names provide a human readable representation
readable
representation of a physical place and correspond withof places on the Internet and correspond with IP
destination zip codes.
addresses.

Routing

Transport

https://www.IETF.org/
Using the zip code, sorting facilities send mail to other
Using the IP address as the destination, networks use
facilities closer to the destination and becoming morerouting protocols to route the data from one network to
local in covered area. Mail can go on many different roads another until it reaches the destination.
or via different vehicles and still reach the next facility.
Mail is transported in standardized envelopes or packages Using the TCP/IP protocol. Data is sent in “packets” acrossby vehicles to their destination. These have thenetworks to their destination. The packet has the the9destination and sender’s addresses written on them.
destination and sender’s IP addresses.

Which one is like the Internet?

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11

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What features of the Internet have led
to its success?

The critical properties of the Internet

Accessible
Infrastructurewith a Common
ProtocolOpen
Architecture ofInteroperable andReusable Building
BlocksDecentralized
Management anda DistributedRouting SystemCommon Global
Identifiers

Technology
Neutral, GeneralPurpose NetworkAn Accessible Infrastructure with a Common Protocol• You don’t need permission from a central authority to connect to the Internet. You find a point
nearby, make arrangements to connect, and you’re on the Internet.
• Every node has a common, open, network layer protocol available: the Internet Protocol (IP).

• An Internet user trying to use a new application doesn’t have to ask questions like “Are theyrunning the same protocol I am?” or “Can I reach their part of the Internet from my part of theInternet?”

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A Common Global Identifier System• There’s an essential glue that allows every user to connect to the applications they use: IPaddresses.
• Having common global identifiers delivers a key benefit: consistent addressability. The commonidentifier space, underneath all of the various levels of application, delivers a coherent view ofthe entire network.
• From any point on the Internet, a tiny packet of information can be passed from computer tocomputer, each one examining the same few bits — the address — to clearly identify adestination.
• The Domain Name System (DNS) has many uses, but the most common is the creation of aconsistent mapping between names and IP addresses

16Example: Domain Name System• DNS queries enable servers to translate humanfriendly names into corresponding computer-friendly
IP addresses.
• The “DNS protocol” is the set of rules for network
entities to use in queries and responses regarding
names in the global, distributed, hierarchicaldatabase.

• The content of the server for the domain namesystem does not matter. The IP Address the server isassigned does not matter. All that matters is that thedomain name translate to the right address.

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Five critical properties and their benefits
Critical Property

Benefits to the Users

A layered architecture ofinteroperable reusablebuilding blocks

Open architecture creates common interoperable services, which deliver fast andpermissionless innovation everywhere. The inclusive standardization process and demanddriven adoption ensures that useful changes are adopted, while unnecessary ones disappear.

Decentralized managementand distributed routing

Distributed routing delivers a resilient and adaptable network of autonomous networks,
allowing for local optimizations while maintaining worldwide connectivity.

A Common Global Identifier
SystemA common identifier set delivers consistent addressability and a coherent view of the entire
network, without fragmentation or fractures.

A General Purpose NetworkGenerality delivers flexibility. The Internet continuously serves a diverse and constantly evolving
community of users and applications. It does not require significant changes to support this18
dynamic environment.

An Accessible Infrastructurewith a Common Protocol

Unrestricted access and common protocols deliver global connectivity and encourage thenetwork to grow. As more and more participants connect, the value of the Internet increases
for everyone.

Enablers for an Internet for everyone

19Internet Impact Briefs• Analyses of whether and how a proposal,
development, or trend will benefit or harm
the Internet• Examples from APAC:••••

India CERT-In Cybersecurity Directions
2022 (Jun 2022)
Bangladesh Social Media Guidelines
2021 (March 2022)
Cambodia National Internet Gateway(Feb 2022)
India’s Intermediary Guidelines (Nov2021)

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Internet Fragmentation
The Internet is a ‘network of networks’: a web ofthousands of networks, connecting to one anothervoluntarily.
Internet fragmentation is the division or splinteringof the unified, open, global Internet into smaller,
isolated networks.
These networks can be subject to different rules,
regulations, and technical standards and aresometimes unable to connect or operate together
seamlessly.

Don’t forget to add alt text towhatever you image you add here!

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Attacks on the borderless, seamless, interoperable Internet canmake it unrecognizable
Access to websites, platforms, andservices will depend on who andwhere we are.
Content will be curated and only
available depending on the approvalof or sanction by a particulargovernment or company.
In certain jurisdictions, services willcease to be available at all.
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When the Internet stops being
the Internet
When we don’t protect what theInternet needs to exist and thrive,it starts to shatter.

A splinternet is a collection of isolated
networks controlled by governments orbusinesses that don’t connect orinteroperate with each other efficiently.

Photo courtesy of Katelyn Greer via Unsplash

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Axes of fragmentation
1. Governance: Fragmentation can occur when the power tomake decisions about the Internet is centralised in the handsof a few.

Governance2. Commercial: Business decisions or policies can limit users’
access to services, platforms, apps or websites.
3. Socioeconomic: Restrictions on Internet access, access toinformation, or freedom of expression could result incommunities being ‘left behind’, exacerbating poor digital
literacy and deepening inequalities.
4. Cultural: When governments or businesses use social
norms to restrict access to information or certain forms ofexpression.
5. Technical: Decisions that divide the open, unified Internet
into smaller, isolated networks that are subject to different
rules, regulations, and technical standards.

Technical

Commercial

Fragmentation

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CulturalSocioeconomic

An impact assessment –not for the environment,
but for the Internet.

Fellowship programs

Programs that build knowledge, skills and competencies ofInternet leaders who defend an open, globally connected, secure,and trustworthy Internet for everyone.

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Our Programs
Mid Career Fellowship

Early Career Fellowship

Youth Ambassador Program

Equips global mid-career Internet

champions with the with knowledge,
skills and competencies to enable
inclusive, innovative, holistic, andstrategic leadership.

Equips global early career Internet
champions with the practicalknowledge and skills for them tocontribute to the development anddefense of the Internet.

Equips the next generation ofInternet champions with knowledge,
skills and competencies to influence
policies that defend the Internet at
key industry events.

15 Fellows
7 Months

15 Fellows
6 Months

15 Ambassadors
10 Months

Applications open in March

Applications open in January

Applications open in September

https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowships/mid-career/

https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowships/early-career/

https://www.internetsociety.org/policy-programs/youth-ambassadors/Our Programs
Policymakers Program

AfPIF Fellowship

Pulse Research Fellowship

Offers training to policymakers on
the Internet’s operations. It also
provides visibility on the Internet
Engineering Task Force’s standards
environment.

Equips Internet experts with skills
and tools to addressinterconnection, peering, andtraffic exchange challenges andmaximize opportunities that growInternet at the African Peering andProvides an opportunity for people
to work on data-driven analysis
related to the Internet, how it
works, and artificial Internet
limitations

5/10 Fellows
3 Times a Year

15 Fellows
4 months

3 Fellows
6 Months

https://www.internetsociety.org/policyprograms/policymakers-program-to-ietf/

https://www.internetsociety.org/fellowships/afpif/

https://pulse.internetsociety.org/fellowship

Interconnection Forum.

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BenefitsExpertise & knowhow

Professional
development

Shaping the future ofthe Internet

Access to thecommunity

Access to world-classexperts.

Get 1:1 mentorship by
key Internet actors.

Lead Internet-related
projects andinitiatives.

Deepen subject
matter expertise.

Develop skills to
become Internet
leaders.

Join an interactive
alumni network tokeep building skills& connections.

Learn how tonavigate digitaltransformation anddisruption.

Present and promote
your work atevents.

Address challenges togrowing andstrengthening theInternet.

Be part of a global
community with
Chapters, Special
Interest Groups andStanding Groups

30Get involved• Take the free, 4-week self-paced online course•(https://www.internetsociety.org/learning/iwn/)• Check out the Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit•(https://www.internetsociety.org/issues/internet-way-of-networking/internet-impact-assessment-toolkit/)• Spot a threat that could harm the open, globally connected, secure and trustworthy Internet?
Let us know!
• Follow us to learn about our campaigns and help amplify our messages on social media.
• Support us as we promote and defend the open, globally connected, secure and trustworthyInternet. Become a member or join your local chapter!

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Thank you.

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