Why not OSI?

Abstract

This paper presents an argument that the OSI proposed standard is technically superior to the TCP/IP standard for network communications. An Actor-Network Theory approach is taken for analysis of the historical record surrounding the adoption of TCP/IP. The paper does not seek to create a new history of TCP/IP but to suggest this is a case where traditional explanations of adoption based on the nature of the technology do not explain the demise of the OSI model. Parallels are then drawn between this adoption and the possible problems with the implementation of IPV6. These parallels provide insight into the impediments that may arise with the adoption of the new standard.