The Oldest Device Directly Connected to the Internet: A Journey Through Time
When it comes to the pioneers of the Internet, we often think of modern devices like computers and smartphones. However, the origins of the Internet trace back to ancient hardware, with some still connected to the network today. This article explores the oldest direct connection to the Internet and delves into the historical evolution of network technology.
The Commodore 128 and Raspberry Pi Connection
Some enthusiasts debate the oldest device currently directly connected to the Internet. A Commodore 128, paired with a Raspberry Pi to convert TCP/IP data over RS-232, was mentioned. Another contender is a Macintosh Quadra 800 directly connected to Ethernet. But the real land of giants in this field is a much more historic device: the PDP-11/70 from 1975.
The Old but Connected
Among the devices still actively connected to the Internet is a 14-year-old HP workstation with a dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and a dual role: it serves as a hobby website web server. It has its origins as a Windows Vista workstation, but now it has evolved to serve a different purpose. While these devices have different connections to the Internet, the real star of the show is the PDP-11/70.
A Brief History of PDP-11/70 and TCP/IP
The PDP-11 was a line of 16-bit minicomputers made by Digital Equipment Corporation from 1970 to 1992. It was contemporaneous to the PDP-10 and DECsystem-20 36-bit mainframes, and it was a primary platform for Unix operating system development in the 1970s. The development of Unix on the PDP-11/70 played a crucial role in the evolution of the Internet.
In 1975, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) commissioned the University of California Berkeley Computer Systems Research Group (CSRG) to add TCP/IP support to Unix. The 2.11BSD release in 1992, which supports patches that are still being contributed, includes TCP/IP and Ethernet protocols. This setup is what led to the PDP-11/70 being connected to the Internet.
Other Notable Devices
While the PDP-11/70 is a prime example, other systems like the VAX-11, which ran 4BSD Unix, also held key roles in the early days of the Internet. VAX-11 systems were powerful and crucial for development and testing of TCP/IP protocols. However, finding an original VAX-11 system today would be a significant challenge due to their age and rarity.
It’s worth noting that the term "Internet" didn't come about until many years later. The evolution from ARPAnet to the modern Internet was a complex process that involved various networks merging over time. VAX systems, like those running 4BSD, were instrumental in this development.
Conclusion
The PDP-11/70 stands as a significant landmark in the history of the Internet, proving that the oldest device currently directly connected to the Internet is not just a relic from decades ago but a testament to the enduring legacy of early computing. As technology continues to advance, the contributions of these vintage devices remain irreplaceable in the grand narrative of digital communication.