Is this a joke? Maybe. But in the ever-turbulent sea of networking protocols, the idea of transmitting data via pigeons – IP over Avian Carriers (IPoAC) – is making a resurgence, this time with added 'Quality of Service'.
IPoAC: A History of Taking Flight
Let's be clear: IPoAC isn't new. The concept was first introduced in RFC 1149, way back in 1999, as an April Fool's Day joke. The premise? To use homing pigeons to carry data packets. RFC 2549, published a few years later, built on this with some tongue-in-cheek enhancements, because why not? Now, in 2026, it seems the gag is taking on a new life.
The latest iteration, showcased on Hacker News, promises 'Quality of Service' (QoS). This is where the absurdity reaches new heights. How exactly do you prioritize pigeon traffic? Do you give certain birds premium seeds for faster flight? Do you train them to avoid inclement weather? The mind boggles.
QoS for Pigeons? Seriously?
The comments section on the Hacker News thread is, predictably, a mix of amusement and head-scratching. Some users are genuinely curious about the practical implications. Others are simply enjoying the absurdity of the situation. “I'd like to see the benchmark for packet loss,” one user quipped. “Is it measured in feathers per kilometer?”
The reality is, implementing true QoS over IPoAC would be an engineering nightmare. Factors like pigeon fatigue, weather conditions, and the ever-present threat of predators make consistent delivery times virtually impossible. Packet re-transmission alone would require a whole new level of avian coordination.
The 'Show HN' post, while likely a playful experiment, does raise an interesting question: what are the absolute limits of networking technology? In a world obsessed with speed and efficiency, perhaps there's still room for the slow, the quirky, and the downright ridiculous. Maybe it's a commentary on the over-engineered solutions we often create when a simpler, albeit slower, method exists.
While I don't expect to see Google rolling out a fleet of data-carrying pigeons anytime soon, the persistence of IPoAC in the collective tech consciousness speaks volumes. It's a reminder that innovation doesn't always have to be serious, and that sometimes, the best ideas are the ones that make you laugh. And, if your internet is truly down, a pigeon with a flash drive might just be faster than waiting for your ISP to pick up the phone. For now, I'll stick to fiber, but I’ll keep a bag of birdseed handy… just in case.