This is the results of a quick search on a topic which has been lurking in the back of my mind.

'Mesh networks, where user devices and routing nodes can get co-mingled, might be an interesting twist on Metcalfe's law, which says the value of a network is proportional to the square of the number of users or nodes. Think about it. Where all user devices are also routing devices, it's pretty obvious that, at least for the beginning part of the 'S' innovation curve, the value of network externalities is even greater. This has some interesting implications for seeding 'core' networks by seeding the 'edges'. I'll have to think about that.'

Author unknown?


http://www.sce.carleton.ca/wmc/QoSZAP/

Brings a very interesting point to bare:

There is another "law" apart from Moore's Law which has an impact on the progress of computing both in business and in general. This is Metcalfe's Law.

The "law" originated with Bob Metcalfe, the founder of 3Com and the designer of the Ethernet protocol for computer networks ? work that he did while at Xerox Corporation. It is believed that Metcalfe invented his law as a means of encouraging companies to network computers together.

In any event the Law states roughly that:

"The 'value' of a computer network is proportional to the square of the number of computers in the network."

Although it is sometimes quoted as:

"The usefulness of a network is proportional to the square of the number of users."

(From - http://www.pcw.co.uk/news/1129770)

In a sense Metcalfe wasn't saying anything profound. Mathematically, if you put a number of dots on a piece of paper, then the number of lines you can draw that connect any two of them is proportional to the square of the number.

Try to follow my drunken state of mind.

It's not the that there is a "CNC" or IRC relay that poses a new threat, but a different way of doing the same thing. Horse: You are correct in pointing out the latest and greatest. I agree that there will be tremendous damage done; however, there are measures that the "latest" cannot defeat.

In order to compromise a host, one must install and execute a program. To take over a memory stack is simple:

mov dx, OFFSET buffer

But to do that remotely, a process must be launched in memory.

So let's look at the 'implications for seeding 'core' networks by seeding the 'edges''

Now we have the ability to remotely control the routers and switches. Sure, drive down your street and reset your neighbors wireless routers DHCP address to 127.0.0.1 WTF? This does us no good.

But set the same router to switch, whereby packets are switched based on the DLCI (a Frame Relay equivalent of a MAC-level address)? Routers are configured as a hybrid DTE switch or pure Frame Relay DCE access node in the Frame Relay network. Cisco's implementation of Frame Relay switching does just this and GUESS who bought Linksys?

Hoss: The more I type the more I think - Let me ponder this, sorry this post is so long and not definitive. In the infamous last words of dino "SysAdmin" I got me an Idea!