jwabik@shamash.UUCP (Jeff Wabik) (11/11/87)
Neither of these groups is really the correct place to post about this
subject, but, I couldn't find a better place, so, here goes:
NSFnet is an ARPA_like network sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
We are considering an NSFnet connection here at CDC, but I can't squeeze any
info about the network and its connectivity from the higher_ups (probably
'cause they dont know, either .. ) ..
Does anyone out there know what NSFnet IS, what its designed to do, who
may use it (apparently we already have permission, but I'm curious
about who else I might find out there.. ), if UUCP is supported over
it, what protocol it uses, etc, etc, etc?
Please respond by mail since, again, this is not the place for this discussion.
Thanks!
-Jeff
---
Jeff A. Wabik @ Control Data Corporation Bloomington, MN 55440
UUCP: {rosevax,umn-cs,meccts,ems}!shamash!jwabik ARPA: jwabik@ub.d.umn.edu
Disclaimer: Knows not my employer what do I here.
Live long and program.ron@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ron Natalie) (11/13/87)
NSFnet is a network funded by the National Science Foundation. It consists of the backbone, which links six major supercomputer centers in the U.S., regional networks such as NYSER, SURAN, and MIDnet that join research sites in a large section of the country (but are adminstered seperately), and campus nets at each individual sites. NSFnet is not supposed to be a conduit for commericial sites to get access to the Internet. However, the most definitive answers to your questions can probably had by contacting Dr. Stephen Wolff at NSF. His Email address is steve@note.nsf.net. -Ron
steve@note.nsf.GOV (11/16/87)
The purpose of NSFNET is to support research and scholarly
pursuits in general, and specifically to provide access to
supercomputers and other unique national scientific assets.
NSFNET is an internet. It consists of:
* a 56 kb/s terrestrial transcontinental backbone that
interconnects
* a number (currently 15) of "mid-level" networks, each
of which in turn interconnects
* a dozen or more campus-area networks.
The NSFNET program began as part of the NSF's supercomputer
initiative; for that reason (and others) the backbone nodes are
located at NSF-funded supercomputer sites: Princeton, Ithaca,
Pittsburgh, Urbana, Boulder, and San Diego. Additional backbone
nodes are planned for the near future, as is an upgrade to T1
(1.5 mb/s). Management and operation of the backbone is fully
funded by the NSF.
"Mid-level" networks include regional nets such as NYSERNET in
New YorK State and NorthWestNet which covers the tier of states
in the northwest, supercomputer consortium networks such as those
of the San Diego Supercomputer Center and the John von Neumann
National Supercomputer Center, and other affiliated nets such as
CSNET and BITNET. Although NSF has provided start-up funding for
many of the mid-level networks, they are administratively
autonomous, and they differ among themselves in the types and
degree of service offered to the connected campus nets and their
users.
Campus nets are organized by the mid-level nets (mostly by the
regionals); NSF does not fund the construction of campus nets.
The standard NSFNET protocols are those based on DARPA IP; a
staged transition to the ISO stack is planned.
Under a growing number of formal agreements, NSF shares networking
facilities and bandwidth with other Federal agencies who run
networks to support scientific research, such as DARPA, NASA, and
the Department of Energy; there are gateways among these nets,
and the long-term goal is a National Research Internet, or
Interagency Research Internet. There are also gateways and links
to other countries to facilitate communication within the
international community of scholars.
A formal "appropriate use" document is in final draft, but in
broad terms uses are confined to those consistent with the purpose
of NSFNET. Campuses receiving NSF funding to connect are
obligated to make access available campus-wide.
Further information may be obtained from the Program Director for
NSFNET <jcavines@note.nsf.gov> or from the NSF Network Service
Center <nnsc@nnsc.nsf.net>; research campuses and/or facilities
wishing to connect should send their postal address to the
Program Office <dncri@note.nsf.gov> (we don't do everything
electronically [yet]).brianc@cca.ucsf.edu.UUCP (11/20/87)
In article <597@shamash.UUCP> jwabik@shamash.UUCP (Jeff Wabik) writes: > >Neither of these groups is really the correct place to post about this >subject, but, I couldn't find a better place, so, here goes: > >NSFnet is an ARPA_like network sponsored by the National Science Foundation. >We are considering an NSFnet connection here at CDC, but I can't squeeze any >info about the network and its connectivity from the higher_ups (probably >'cause they dont know, either .. ) .. Well I was just reading the July '87 issue of NSF Network News. In this issue is an aritcle: "A User's introduction to NSFnet (part 1)". The address on the back of this issue is NNSC BBN Laboratories Incorporated 10 Moulton Street Cambridge, MA 02238 (617) 497-3400 They can either give you a copy/subscription to NSF Newtork News or tell you who can. > >Does anyone out there know what NSFnet IS, what its designed to do, who >may use it (apparently we already have permission, but I'm curious >about who else I might find out there.. ), if UUCP is supported over >it, what protocol it uses, etc, etc, etc? > According to page 5 of the above: "NSFNET is part of a larger internet ... called the Internet. ... NSFNET is generally used to refer to the portion of the Internet that relies on the NSF Backbone network, a wide-area network that links the National Supercomputing Centers. "Each component network of NSFNET suports .. the Internet Protocol ..." So one must first be a registered Internet site. I guess some one at SRI ( I think that is Stanford Resarch Institute but I could be wrong.) in Palo Alto California would be the one to contact about such an issue. Furthermore, reading a little further in this little newsletter there is the following information: "The NSF Network Service Center (NNSC), located at BBN Laboratories Inc. [Aha ... they are the ones resp. for this newsletter] is a project of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.... The NNSC serves as the first point of contact for people who want information abouts NSFNET. The NNSC provides an on-line mailbox ... [etc.] ... " How to reach the NNSC: Hotline: (same phone number as above) E-Mail: nnsc@nnsc.nsf.net USMAIL: (same address as above) >Please respond by mail since, again, this is not the place for this discussion. Aha, but this very well may have a great impact on e-mail of the future. >Thanks! Your Welcome! > > Live long and program. But not if you program in COBOL, BASIC, PL/I .... ================================================================================ Brian Colfer : UCSF Dept. of Lab. Medicine : brianc@cca.ucsf.edu or : L524, CA,94143 415-476-2325 : ucbvax!cca.ucsf.edu!brianc ================================================================================ Dr Who? ================================================================================
woods@hao.UUCP (11/20/87)
In article <1084@ucsfcca.ucsf.edu> brianc@cca.ucsf.edu.UUCP (Brian Colfer) writes: >Aha, but this very well may have a great impact on e-mail of the future. I can assure you that NSFnet has already had a huge impact on email of the present (note the "ucar" in our domain name!). We are a USENET backbone site using NSFnet for all our mail and news transfers (except for a small number of local phone links used for mail and local news only). --Greg