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Ethernet Switch
Invented by: Kalpana The Ethernet switch is a computer used to route traffic on a local network. It replaced the slower bus system previously used in computer networks, and their use reduces the number of data collisions on a line (a collision is when data frames are sent across a cable at the same time) by increasing the number of lines, the number of collision domains also increases (fewer devices on collision domain = less chance of collision) https://grabify.link/Q0R2NG (shortened link) -
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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP was created as a way to stream voice data over internet networks. I was actually unable to find the exact year, or inventor of VoIP as many different sources are conflicting on who did it first, but it's invention has lowered the cost of international calling, often times being completely free provided you have a computer and a microphone. VoIP is a protocol that greatly improved upon past attempts from the 70s and 80s to use computer networks to stream calls between voice applications. -
Catagory 5 Network Cable (Cat5)
Invented by: the Telecommunications Industry Association and the Electronic Industries Alliance As the successor to Cat3, Cat5 cabling dramatically increased the speeds at which networks could transmit information from 10Mbps to 100Mbps. Category 5 standards are outlined in TIA/EIA-568. copy of a patent for Cat5 cabling:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US5399813A/en -
Invention of the Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Inventor: Intel lead the development of USB but multiple companies joined them, including Microsoft and IBM The USB was designed to remedy computer customers' frustrations over how complex setting up a new device like a printer or scanner was. USB made it easy to add a device, or even swap devices without the need to restart the computer its connected to. Development began in 1995 and finished in 1996. www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/standards/usb-two-decades-of-plug-and-play-article.html -
First Public-Key Encryption Ransomware
Inventor: Moti Yung Cryptoviral Extortion was a term coined by Moti Yung to describe the use of computer viruses to encrypt data until a ransom is paid for a decryption key. Though the first ransomware/cryptovirus was created in 89, he created the first to research the use of public-key encryption in viruses. Public-Key encryption is a type of encryption where two keys are used, a public encryption key and a private decryption key. The public encryption key cannot decrypt the data it encrypted.