Jim Metzler and Steve Taylor have another insightful article up at Network World – this one on the effects of the FCC ruling against Comcast over their BitTorrent blocking using deep packet inspection technologies.

Perhaps some of the best news for corporate network managers is that this is proof that equipment designed for DPI actually works – and evidently works well. So if you decide that you need more control for P2P traffic on your corporate network, this seems to be quite an endorsement. And, again pointing out that we’re not lawyers, there seems to us to be a fundamental difference in the ability to filter traffic on your own corporate network and on public networks.

This is true. But there is something here that is amiss.  Yes, deep packet inspection works.  Except for communication that is encrypted and decrypted.  Of course, if an employee is determined to jump through the hoops required to get a decent encryption on BitTorrent content, so that he can download the large, copyrighted, non-work related files at the work computer… well, at that point it ceases to be an IT problem and becomes an HR problem.

Chances are, anyone smart enough to set up encryption would be able to figure out to use their home broadband connections.  Can’t wait to get home? Set up a remote login. 

What is of more significance is the idea that it looks like at least some degree of network neutrality will be enforced by the FCC; the Comcast case may set a precedent and other ISPs may be wary of implementing DPI.  That may make a huge impact on deciding whether you want to try putting apps out on the cloud or whether you want to develop a solution on the WAN.