RFC 1296 (rfc1296) - Page 1 of 9

Internet Growth (1981-1991)

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Network Working Group                                          M. Lottor
Request for Comments: 1296                             SRI International
                                      Network Information Systems Center
                                                            January 1992


                      Internet Growth (1981-1991)

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard.  Distribution of this memo is
   unlimited.

Abstract

   This document illustrates the growth of the Internet by examination
   of entries in the Domain Name System (DNS) and pre-DNS host tables.
   DNS entries are collected by a program called ZONE, which searches
   the Internet and retrieves data from all known domains.  Pre-DNS host
   table data were retrieved from system archive tapes.  Various
   statistics are presented on the number of hosts and domains.

Table of Contents

   Introduction....................................................   1
   How ZONE Works..................................................   2
   Problems with Data Collection...................................   3
   Scope of the Study..............................................   3
   N. Results......................................................   4
   N.1 Number of Internet Hosts....................................   4
   N.2 Number of Domains...........................................   6
   N.3 Distribution of IP Addresses per Host.......................   7
   N.4 Distribution of Hosts by Top-level Domain...................   7
   N.5 Distribution of Hosts by Host Name..........................   8
   Future Issues...................................................   8
   RFC References..................................................   9
   Security Considerations.........................................   9
   Author's Address................................................   9

Introduction

   This document provides statistics on the growth of the Internet by
   examining the number of Internet hosts and domains over a 10-year
   period.  Before the Domain Name System was established, practically
   all hosts on the Internet were registered with the Network
   Information Center (SRI-NIC) and entries were placed in the Official
   Host Table for each one.  Data on the number of hosts for pre-DNS



Lottor
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