Open Networks

This coursebook explores the different aspects of open technologies that are at the foundations of modern computer networks. The Internet is built on top of open protocols and open standards. "Open" in this context means the opposite of "private". Private networks are those which belong to companies or institutions who impose restrictions on users who join them. Open networks do not belong to anybody because the devices they use are made available by the members of the community. Communities are enabled by open network design and innovation emerges. That is the foundation of P2P production and distribution models, IP telephony and multimedia streaming technologies.