The rapidly developing and changing networking and telecommunications environment now being implemented in the United States and across the globe is explored. The creation of a flexible and inexpensive digital network allowing instantaneous access by any individual to information of any type is now within our grasp. A primer on the technology underlying the current network environment is offered, and the status of higher education and research networking environments is described. Some of the lessons learned to date are highlighted, and the impacts of this technology on the issues of knowledge preservation and access are considered. Scenarios of possible futures using the interlocking technologies of communications, processing power, and storage are provided. Prospects and challenges in the further development of the network are also reviewed. Policy issues that cannot be ignored are those of: (1) access; (2) appropriate use; (3) funding; (4) governance; (5) security; and (6) privacy and free speech. The success of current networks is leading to the National Information Infrastructure, which will have immense impact on society. An appendix contains a brief history of national networks. (SLD)