© H. Maurer 1 Can we avoid catastrophic failures of computer networks? tation in the 2005 Digital Librarie uium Series, CMU and University tsburgh 24, 2005 rmann Maurer az University of Technology az/ Austria
© H. Maurer1
Can we avoid catastrophic failures of computer networks?
Presentation in the 2005 Digital LibrariesColloquium Series, CMU and Universityof Pittsburgh March 24, 2005
Hermann MaurerGraz University of TechnologyGraz/ Austria
© H. Maurer2
Production of the room we are currently in, with all that is in it:
example of strong division oflabor and globalization
© H. Maurer3
Computerization is speeding up globalization and introduces a new phenomenon:
division of labor and globalization extends more and more also to non- material products (information, knowledge,…)
© H. Maurer4
Particularly true of WWW and DigitalLibraries!
Note: Digital libraries are much more thanjust repositories that can be searched easily.
They offer new functionality.
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Examples:
--- Annotations and ‘Active Documents’--- Portals to WWW with white-lists--- Links into the Future--- Personal views and permissions--- Supports eLearning by providing the material to fill the outline of a course --- Transclusions!--- …
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Thus, today:Access and consumption of all material products any time and place
Soon also true for non-material products such as knowledge. Perfection of advanced techniques for this will still take a little while.
Two attempts the speaker is involved in: Hyperwave www.hyperwave.com Research center KNOW: www.know-center.at
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Advantages of Globalization
Access to many things that otherwise we would not have
More efficient production (climate, raw-material,…),
Certain efforts are only possible through massivecollaboration:
The ‚animal‘ humankind is able to do things small groups of individuals could not do
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Disadvantages of GlobalizationPotential exploitation (without consideration for people, environment,…)
Arbitrary shift of production facilities (unemployment, waste,…)
Increases transport (i.e. dependency on oil which is an indirect danger for peace and environment!)
Globalization creates dangerous dependencies, also
in digital library sector!
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Could it really happen that computers and computer networks fail in large regions for prolonged
periods???
Yes. The danger is particularly high due to a targeted attack. NOTE: Consequences worse, the later such breakdown happens!
It is a miracle that no serious case of cyber-attack has occurred yet!
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The latest book inmy “Xperts-Series”describes exactlysuch a scenario.
www.iicm.edu/Xperts
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Der Telekinet(Roman)
Der Paradoppelgänger(Roman)
Die Parakämpfer(Roman)
Das Paranetz(Roman)
Der Anfang(Kurzgeschichten)
Der Mindcaller(Roman, Lennon)
Der Parakommunikator (Roman, Lennon)
Der Paraschirm (Roman, Osborne)
Die XPERTEN- Saga
eSMOG! (Roman, Backhaus)
Mindwave(Roman, Shearer)
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Who believes in a dramatic collapse withing the next ten years?
“Some 66% agreed with the following prediction: At least one devastating attack will occur in the next 10 years on the networked infrastructure or the nationwide power grid” (PEW Report on “The Future of the Internet”, January 9, 2005)
Persons interviewed included e.g. Vincet Cerf, Esther Dyson, Bob Metcalfe, Dan Gillmore, Simon Garfinkel, Howard Rheingold, David Weinberger, usw.
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Consequences of complete breakdown are catastrophic: clear
How can we avoid them?
(1) Increase stability of computers and networks!
(2) Globalization where necessary, but regionalization wherever reasonable
(3) Reduce terrorism. One aspect is to reduce injustice in world as one of the reasons for terrorism. Help third world with IT
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“Balance or Destruction” F.J. Radermacher
www.global-contract.de/ e375/e464/e465/e466/index_eng.html
Basic idea: future increase in productionis possible without further damaging the environment. This growth has to be distributed unevenly.
Reduce injustice and imbalance in the world
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Concrete Measures
e.g.Import duty for countries that do not follow certainrules (no social insurance, no health insurance, no minimum salary, more than 50 h work week, child labor, etc.)
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Help in the third world using IT
Spread new local knowledge world wideExample: How to boil water with limited fuel
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Help in the third world with IT
Spread new local knowledge world –wideOther examples are e.g.can-houses, sandbags, chistosoma,…
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Note
Improving prosperity in the world is just oneaspect that will reduce terrorism.
The main reasons for terrorism are desperation, fanaticism and hate… only some of this can be addressed with increased prosperity.
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Globalization where necessary, regionalization where reasonable
e.g.:“Asymmetric distance tax” based on GNP:--- increases stability through self sufficiency--- supports re-distribution--- supports regionalization and natural life--- also holds for non-material aspects
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Computers und networks must become more secure (stable)!
Operating systems and basic software on chips
Write-once storage (may be with mechanical override)
e.g. radical approach:Give up John von Neumann computer concept
Use network only when needed
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Other approaches
Thin clients in networks where much is done inservers
Redundant networks and addressing schemes
Variety of operating systems/ configurable OSCroquet project: www.opencroquet.org
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Other approaches
Use of crytopgraphic co-processors
Like in:www.trustedcomputinggroup.org
Can possibly lead to unwanted control www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html
www.iicm.edu/Xperts
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F.J. Radermacher in “Balance or Destruction” talks about the balance
between countries.
We need this, but we also need a healthy balance between globalization and regionalization, and a clean solution for secure computing without the dangers inherent in “Trusted Computing”.
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Thanks for your attention!H.Maurer
URLs:
www.know-center.at www.hyperwave.comwww.iicm.edu/maurer
More on related stuff: www.iicm.edu/ Xperts
email: [email protected]