Werner Zorn

Prof. Dr. Werner Zorn is a renowned computer scientist and Professor of Communication Systems at the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam, Germany. With a foundational role in establishing Germany's early internet infrastructure and connecting China to the global internet, his work has been pivotal in shaping international network connectivity. His academic career spans from the University of Karlsruhe, where he was appointed Professor of Computer Science in 1979, to his current position at HPI since 2001.

Education: He studied electrical engineering with a focus on communications at TH Karlsruhe (1962–1967) and earned his Dr.-Ing. with distinction in 1971.

Research Focus: His research encompasses performance analysis of computing systems, computer networks, and the development of quantitative modeling methodologies such as FMC-QE (Fundamental Modeling Concepts for Quantitative Evaluation). His work bridges theoretical modeling with practical applications in network design and optimization.

Publications & Articles: His publications reflect a deep engagement with internet history, network performance, and system modeling. Notable works include detailed accounts of China's first email connection and the evolution of the Chinese Academic Network (CANET), as well as innovative approaches to system performance modeling.

Awards & Recognition: He has received numerous accolades, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, induction into the Internet Hall of Fame, and the Chinese Government Friendship Award, underscoring his global impact.

Current Projects: He leads projects like FMC-QE for hierarchical system modeling and the IT Services Atlas for implementing EU directives, alongside mentoring doctoral students in advanced network and system research.