David J. Farber, Internet Pioneer Who Shaped Academic Networks, Dies at 91

Professor David J. Farber, whose groundbreaking work on experimental computer networks helped define the early internet, passed away on February 7 at age 91.

Professor David J. Farber, whose work on academic experimental computer networks helped define the evolution of the early internet, died on February 7 at age 91.

A researcher, professor and federal policy adviser, he guided students who went on to do groundbreaking work in connecting the world online.

Farber's contributions to the development of the internet were foundational. As a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and later Carnegie Mellon University, he mentored numerous students who became key figures in the field. His work on experimental networks in the 1970s and 1980s helped establish the protocols and architectures that would become the backbone of the modern internet.

Among his notable achievements was his role in the development of CSNET (Computer Science Network), which connected computer science departments across the United States and served as a crucial stepping stone between the early ARPANET and the broader internet. This work demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale academic networking and helped pave the way for the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET).

Farber was also instrumental in shaping internet policy. He served as chief technologist at the Federal Communications Commission and was a founding member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. His advocacy for open networks and his warnings about the dangers of centralized control helped establish the principles of network neutrality that continue to influence debates about internet governance today.

His influence extended beyond his direct research contributions. Many of his students went on to make their own significant impacts on the field. Vint Cerf, often called one of the "fathers of the internet," credited Farber with helping to shape his thinking about network architecture and policy.

Farber's approach to networking was characterized by a belief in the power of open, decentralized systems. He was an early advocate for what would later be called the "end-to-end principle," which holds that network intelligence should be placed at the edges rather than in the core infrastructure. This philosophy has been fundamental to the internet's success as a platform for innovation.

Throughout his career, Farber remained committed to education and mentorship. He was known for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in accessible terms and for his willingness to engage with students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. His teaching style emphasized hands-on experimentation and encouraged students to think creatively about the possibilities of networked computing.

In recognition of his contributions, Farber was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2013. The citation noted his "pioneering work in the development of computer networks and his leadership in shaping internet policy."

Farber's passing marks the end of an era in internet history. As one of the last remaining figures from the early days of academic networking, he represented a direct link to the internet's origins as a tool for research and collaboration. His vision of an open, accessible network continues to influence debates about the future of the internet, from questions of privacy and security to the challenges of ensuring universal access.

His legacy lives on not only in the technical infrastructure he helped create but in the generations of researchers and policymakers he inspired. The internet as we know it today owes much to Farber's vision, his technical contributions, and his unwavering commitment to the principles of openness and decentralization.