Karl Auerbach (CaveBear)

Address:

(Some people have said "Karl is a crock".  And I'm here to say that they are right... sort of... Click for a photo.  Yes! That is me. This was from a TheatreWorks production of Peter Pan.)

Footprints

Yes, I do have a past. I don't remember it all, but here are some of the high (and low) points:

• I'm currently doing some very exciting work with networking and multimedia.  We started out life as Precept Software but through a process of acquisition we ended up as part of Cisco Systems.
• Despite appearances, I did receive an education at the hands of the public authorities.   Rumor has it that I did graduate from UC Berkeley. I know the diploma is around here someplace.
• I'm particularly interested in the policy issues surrounding the Internet.  I helped form the Boston Working Group (BWG).   And I've been trying to write up some notes on this as a series of notes entitled "As the CaveBear Growls".
• I've been associated with "the Internet" since the early days. I have a photograph (warning, it's 240K bytes) taken on New Year's Eve 1974 showing a black board containing some of the early ideas that eventually became TCP and IP.
• I've been served up on an audio platter as a Geek of the Week
• For some years, I worked in Southern California on secure operating systems and secure networks.  I had the honor to design and build the very first B level secure OS.
• After a few years of wandering, romance, marriage, I ended up in San Francisco doing some really practical work keeping networks alive, day and night, for a rather large bank.  This sort of thing really gives one a new perspective about what real network management is all about.
• Around 1986 I founded Epilogue Technology Corporation.  John Romkey and Dave Bridgham came out to California to work with me. (Wow, was I flattered!!)  John wrote a router one weekend.  Since I consider myself a pretty good hacker, I tried to write SNMP in a weekend. It took me three weeks, but overall it is was a rather nice piece of code.   That SNMP engine is, I believe, the most widely deployed SNMP in the universe.
• In 1991 I formed Empirical Tools and Technologies Corporation, where I had a chance to code up some ideas I'd been thinking about for a few years.  The result is (was?) a product called "Dr. Watson, the Network Detective's Assistant". (199K bytes)  In my humble, and clearly unbiased opinion, it is the single most useful tool for the installation and troubleshooting of TCP/IP networks.  You are welcome to download a copy.
• And now ... drums roll... CaveBear.

Karl tells all...

Yes, I am a laywer. I graduated in 1978 from Loyola of Los Angeles with a J.D. (cum laude) and am an active member of the California State Bar.  I have also been admitted to practice before the Federal Courts. Click here to see one of those expensive pieces of paper.

Questionable Practices, Interests, and Beliefs

• Interop -- I've spent an enormous amount of time designing, building, operating, troubleshooting, and dismantling the various show networks for the Interop trade shows.   It's a lot of work, but it is a nice way to work with good, smart people and get down-and-dirty with interesting technologies.  I must say, however, that I'm sad at the way that the show has changed over the years to the point where it is no longer a very meaningful vehicle to demonstrate the interoperation of diverse implementations and products.
• I believe that Punched Paper Tape is the medium of the future.  (What other medium weighs less the more data you put on it?)  OK, you win, punched cards.
• I believe that the Internet should be governed by individuals, not by corporations.   I believe that domain name holders deserve to hold and use their names in peace and, except in cases of actual infringement, not be harassed by those who hold trademarks.   Are these radical thoughts?  They seem to be.
• I strongly believe that SNMP is not network management. SNMP is a useful access method, but it certainly shouldn't be confused with "the real thing." Take a look at Towards Useful Network Management and delegation protocols.
• Steam Locomotives are way cool.  I occassionally help out restoring Southern Pacific 2479 -- a 1923 mainline locomotive.   I've also been seen (not recently) laying track out in Niles Canyon.  Click here for a photo of me and some real "hardware".

  And if you remember the doubleheader with the SP 2472 and SP 4449, then the following might be of interest. All of these were taken one morning near Aromas, California.

  • SP 2472 and SP 4449 (about 100K bytes)
  • SP 2472 and SP 4449 at speed with lots of steam (about 75K bytes)
  • SP 2472 stopped and close (about 115K bytes)

  You might want to visit The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation

• Much of my life is spent in dark rooms.  Voluntarily!  I work with TheatreWorks, a Palo Alto based theatre company. You should come see one of the shows! Click here to see a photograph me and the rest of the folks for a show we did at Christmas 1993.
• I make horrible puns.

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