Bill,
I think that such terms as "Internet", "Intranet" and "Extranet" DO owe their
existence to the wide implementation and use of TCP/IP.
So - IMHO - you don't have to worry about TCP/IP to "survive" and "compete"
(particularly against SPX/IPX and NetBIOS/NetBEUI). ;)
TCP/IP DOES RUN on any Intranet, Extranet and Internet, because - by definition
- they DO RUN TCP/IP.
Regarding OSI, just consider it as a theoretical reference model particularly
well-fitted for training purposes (even if it's NOT limited to that), if this
can ease your mind. :)
P.S.: on the other hand, I don't think TCP/IP needs to be "protected". It only
needs a smooth migration to IPv6.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Cunningham [mailto:billcu(_at_)citynet(_dot_)net]
(...)
I have been criticized for being too particular about things and too
"trolling." I only want TCP/IP to be able to survive and compete. In a world of
IPX, SPX, OSI, NetBUEI, etc. TCP/IP should be able to run on any Intranet,
Extranet, and of course the Internet, with the best of them.
(...)