adrion@UCBVAX (Rick Adrion) (11/07/85)
The National Science Foundation is engaged in developing a net- work to interconnect its new supercomputer centers with the scientific community. The network, currently called NSFNET, will build upon existing networks such as ARPANET, BITNET, CSNET, MFENET, and the supercomputer center consortium networks. NSFNET has adopted TCP-IP as an initial standard with plans to move to the ISO OSI standards when possible. For more information on NSFNET, contact Dr. Dennis Jennings, Program Director for Net- working, Office of Advanced Scientific Computing, NSF (202-357- 9777, nsf-cs@isia). As part of the NSFNET Project, NSF needs to gain access to many of the above mentioned networks and is seeking information and advice. NSF hopes to obtain a system which will provide NSF, at a minimum, with direct electronic mail access to ARPANET, BITNET, and CSNET (and perhaps uucpNET) through a single mail agent/user mail interface. The NSF will be directly connected to a number of physical networks, so the system must support the entire suite of TCP protocols (Telnet, FTP, SMTP) as well as the BITNET protocols (RSCS). NSF is interested in obtaining information on any and all systems which will provide these needed services. Please provide specifications (e.g., Digital Vax family with 4.2BSD) and any pertinent details. NSF has access to BITNET via a leased line to George Washington University, access to CSNET via Phonenet to the CSNET relay, and will have ARPANET access early in 1986. Reply to this account, or to adrion@csnet-sh.arpa Thanks, Rick Adrion Deputy Director, Computer Research, NSF (202) 357-1185