How big is the Internet?

Thu Aug 15 21:18:31 UTC 2013

On 8/15/2013 9:05 AM, Leo Bicknell wrote:
>
> On Aug 14, 2013, at 3:27 PM, Patrick W. Gilmore <patrick at ianai.net>
> wrote:
>
>> Once you define what you mean by "how bit is the Internet", I'll be
>> happy to spout off about how big it is. :)
>
> Arbitrary definition time: A Internet host is one that can send and
> receive packets directly with at least one far end device addressed
> out of RIR managed IPv4 or IPv6 space.
>
> That means behind a NAT counts, behind a firewall counts, but a true
> private network (two PC's into an L2 switch with no other
> connections) does not, even if they use IP protocols.  Note that
> devices behind a pure L3 proxy do not count, but the L3 proxy itself
> counts.

Isn't that like excluding city streets from the "How many miles of 
roads?" question--likely to be the bigger fraction of the 
whole-as-a-traveler-sees-it?

-- 
Requiescas in pace o email           Two identifying characteristics
                                         of System Administrators:
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio      Infallibility, and the ability to
                                         learn from their mistakes.
                                           (Adapted from Stephen Pinker)