[ih] Dan Lynch has passed away

[Dave Crocker]

On 4/1/2024 5:29 AM, Dave Crocker via Internet-history wrote:
> Bake-offs were part of protocol development from the start of the 
> Internet development.  (And earlier.)  These were narrow efforts to 
> test/ensure interoperability for specific protocols. 


Some offline exchanges are prompting a bit of elaboration about 
bake-offs, interoperability testing, and Interop:

Bake-offs were simply protocol interoperability testing events, with a 
narrow focus on what was being tested as part of the protocol definition 
and initial implementation process. As noted, they go back to the 
beginning of Arpanet development, not just Internet development.

Interop was a technology transfer event that included product 
interoperability on the exhibit show network, as proof of product 
competence.  Interop also had an extensive program of panels and 
presentations with serious technical content.  (There also were slots 
for pure marketing presentations, but they we confined. Anyone who did 
pure marketing during a session that was intended to be substantive was 
not invited back.)

So:  Bake-off/interoperability = standards development.  Interop = 
technology transfer.

d/

-- 
Dave Crocker
Brandenburg InternetWorking
bbiw.net
mast:@dcrocker at mastodon.social