NationStates Jolt Archive

What the hell is with the net recently. Starting sometime last year, its been starting to seriously fray at the edges. I find I'm having to click twice or more on hyperlinks to get to the address, because it will intialy show up as 404 or some such thing. I thought it was my connection, or perhaps I wasn't maintaining my browser and network conecction properly, but no such luck.

Doubting the concept of the entire net begining to break down, I consulted a friend who is a recognized authority on the net, mostly in regard to security, yes, but with far more knowledge of it than your average IT technician. (I'd give his name, but I don't want to violate his privacy) When I asked him about it he said that yes, the Internet is breaking down. Over two decades worth of information, programs and files are out there floating in the nebulous entity we call cyberspace. Coupled with the digital decay plaguing any system, the accumaltion has been building unchecked to cause a whole lot of "digital dirt" to accumulate and clog up they system.

I'm a Patineur and a part-time mMusic Producer, not a Comp Sci major or IT engineer, but I really beleive this is something quite real. Has anyone else noticed the varied symptoms of the slow breakdown of the internet?

Hmm. Well, I'm no techie either, but data "accumulating" in the allegorical corners of a digital network doesn't sound quite right to me. All the data accessed via the Internet is on servers and HDs somewhre, not just floating around in cyberspace. The only things I can think of which would slow the 'Net down are excessive bandwidth useage ( mostly due to massive numbers of people online at the same time ), or viruses which attack the nodes and routers. :confused:

I have a strong suspicision that your friend could be taking the michael.

Actually, since computers store things in weird places and create files and other hoo haa voodoo nonsense to do all the crazy crap they do, I can see this having merit.

But I also fear that maybe they might be setting up another Y2K style burn on all of us who don't know how this voodoo nonsense works but have become to reliant on it not to take their word for it when they say something is wrong.

Um no... besides we could fall back on The Grid if needed.... but no the internet is fine... and youre a moron. :rolleyes: This applies to all of those who replied so far excluding mysef... the moron part...

I'm a CCNA (although I need to update my certification) so I have some basic understanding of computer networking.

Eutrusca is correct. The only major factors contributing to internet speed and reliability are the server you are accessing and the cables and routers between you and the server you are talking to.

The server is probably he most important factor. In many cases the server and its connection simply can't handle the bandwith load that it has (often happens with sites that gain unexpected extreme popularity). In other cases packets are lost between the server and your computer due to problems with the routers and cables that connect the two.

Remmeber, the internet really consists of countless miles of various types of cable and many many routers. Old cables and routers fail all of the time. Others take up the slack while the damaged ones are replaced. Usually only those directly connected to them notice.

Um no... besides we could fall back on The Grid if needed.... but no the internet is fine... and youre a moron. :rolleyes: This applies to all of those who replied so far excluding mysef... the moron part...
You only open your mouth to switch feet.

Wow buddy, nice one there. Im sorry but Im too busy touching myself to think of a response more witty than yours.

I've actually noticed that the internet is faster for me now than it was a few years ago. It could be that I have moved into an area with better phone lines (I have a 56K, always had one) though.

I'm a CCNA (although I need to update my certification) so I have some basic understanding of computer networking.

Eutrusca is correct. The only major factors contributing to internet speed and reliability are the server you are accessing and the cables and routers between you and the server you are talking to.

The server is probably he most important factor. In many cases the server and its connection simply can't handle the bandwith load that it has (often happens with sites that gain unexpected extreme popularity). In other cases packets are lost between the server and your computer due to problems with the routers and cables that connect the two.

Remmeber, the internet really consists of countless miles of various types of cable and many many routers. Old cables and routers fail all of the time. Others take up the slack while the damaged ones are replaced. Usually only those directly connected to them notice.



I thought the idea of some nebulous net of dirty data hanging about between the wires was a bit of an odd explanation. I do realize the net is not a seperate and independent entity. I challenged my friend on it and he was adamant. Perhaps my friend just tried to give me the info in a way I would understand, rather than a technicly detailed and perfect one. I know he was quite earnest and not having a chuckle at my expense.

Blame your ISP. Sue!

Um no... besides we could fall back on The Grid if needed.... but no the internet is fine... and youre a moron. :rolleyes: This applies to all of those who replied so far excluding mysef... the moron part...
[ Locks and loads. Draws down on ShiZuru. ]

"Ready on the right?"

"The right is ready!"

"Ready on the left?"

"The left is ready!"

"Ready on the firing line! Firers, watch YOUR lane!"

:sniper:

Computer Science student here, love networking and study a lot of subjects related to the Internet/networking, no such thing is happening, I assure you, what is happening is we're running out of IP addresses, IPv6 is the solution to that and some other issues the current IP protocol lacks. It is slowly being implemented. Absolutely nothing to worry about, rest assured we can continue to waste hours in lovely forums like this one for eternity :)

Computer Science student here, love networking and study a lot of subjects related to the Internet/networking, no such thing is happening, I assure you, what is happening is we're running out of IP addresses, IPv6 is the solution to that and some other issues the current IP protocol lacks. It is slowly being implemented. Absolutely nothing to worry about, rest assured we can continue to waste hours in lovely forums like this one for eternity :)

Thank you for a straightfowrad answer even a hopeless artsy such as myself can understand. I know my post wasn't the brightest, but I also know there are observable symptoms of this problem...it's not just in my medicated head. I don't mind being wrong occasionaly. I just want explanations. Thanks.