One of the most contentious issues during the development of IP Next Generation, now known as IPv6, had to do with what length of IP address would be required. Initial discussion focused largely on establishing an understanding of just how many devices would be on the Internet of the future. The most far-out prediction was that at some point every light switch would have an IP address and would be remotely controllable over the 'Net.
A few years ago, the idea of the Internet invading the home and office infrastructures seemed far in the future, though worth considering. But this scenario is suddenly looking as though it could arrive a lot sooner than expected. New initiatives aimed at embedding the Internet into everything from light switches and lawn sprinklers to Coke machines and auto engine analyzers have started to pop up. For example, in just the past few weeks, Oracle affiliate Network Computer has formed an alliance with Wind River Systems, while separately, a 12-member consortium called Embed the Internet has emerged. The common idea behind these efforts is that ubiquitous connectivity can make processes more efficient and convenient. For example, home appliances such as refrigerators could be connected to the 'Net to enable manufacturers to check on the condition of the machines during their warrantee periods. A diagnostics check could tell service personnel what parts were beginning to fail so the parts could be replaced before an appliance stops working. Internet-enabled vending machines could let a distributor know when the machines were almost out of Coke so that delivery people could be dispatched only when needed. A controller for a lawn sprinkler could check with the National Weather Service to see if rain was forecast for the local area before deciding to water a lawn. This last example is one cited on the Web page for emWare (www.emware.com), a developer of embedded Internet technology. But these days it seems like every attractive advance in technology comes complete with potentially sinister implications. The same technology that lets service people know the motor in your washing machine is about to burn out could let a government energy efficiency bureau know that you are running the machine during the day rather than during the ecologically correct middle of the night. You could turn on an addressable air conditioner before you head home from the office, while the machine reports to Big Brother that you have set it too low. Someone could hack into the nanny-cam you have set up to check on your kid's baby sitter and watch you instead. The police could wiretap your house while trying to find the father of your daughter's boyfriend. The problem is, when you get down to it, control can work both ways. This is not a plea to stop progress, but rather a warning not to overlook the dark side. Disclaimer: Too often Harvard's direction tends to be orthogonal to technological progress, but the above is my own paranoia. Bradner is a consultant with Harvard University's University Information Systems. He can be reached at sob@harvard.edu. RELATED LINKS
