cluther@supernet.dallas.haus.com (Clay Luther) (03/15/91)
PROFS is not so much a network as a software package. I used PROFS when I was working for IBM a few years ago. IBM has a fantastic internal network. This network extends to customers of IBM who pay megabucks to have access to IBM. PROFS is akin to a huge office system, with email, wp, printing, dbms, kitchen sinks, and other items thrown in. IBM *is* connected to the outside world. Hearsay has it that the IBM site in the Triangle, NC, is the IBM network gateway. However, while people on the internal IBM network can send email to anyone around the globe (and on the IBM net) , IBM is very strict about giving anyone access to external networks. For instance, when I was working in Las Colinas, I had to "apply" for a external-email-allowed account. Without it, I could neither send or receive email from external nets. I understand that this process continues today. -- Clay Luther, Postmaster cluther@supernet.dallas.haus.com Harris Adacom Corporation cluther@enigma.dallas.haus.com Voice: 214/386-2356 MS 23, PO Box 809022, Dallas, Tx 75380-9022 Fax: 214/386-2159 Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited.
schoff@uu.psi.com (Martin Schoffstall) (03/15/91)
>IBM has a fantastic internal network. This network extends to customers of IBM >who pay megabucks to have access to IBM. PROFS is akin to a huge office >system, with email, wp, printing, dbms, kitchen sinks, and other items thrown >in. The network that the customers are connected to is called IIN, the IBM Information Network, which is "headquarterd" in Boca Raton, FL. I believe that this is 1+ Billion Independant Business Unit (IBU) > >IBM *is* connected to the outside world. Hearsay has it that the IBM site in >the Triangle, NC, is the IBM network gateway. IBM's internal network is connected to PSINet in White Plains, NY, it provides them with electronic mail access only to the Internet. > >However, while people on the internal IBM network can send email to anyone >around the globe (and on the IBM net) , IBM is very strict about giving anyone >access to external networks. For instance, when I was working in >Las Colinas, I had to "apply" for a external-email-allowed account. Without >it, I could neither send or receive email from external nets. > >I understand that this process continues today. > As reported elsewhere, it appears that this is now a simple on-line registry process inside IBM, which now requires only first level management approval. But again, email only. Marty
steve@panews (Steve DeJarnett) (03/20/91)
In article <1991Mar15.035407.24666@supernet.dallas.haus.com> cluther@supernet.dallas.haus.com (Clay Luther) writes: >IBM has a fantastic internal network. Extensive is a better word for it. >IBM *is* connected to the outside world. Hearsay has it that the IBM site in >the Triangle, NC, is the IBM network gateway. As has been previously mentioned, IBM sites on what most people call PROFS (kinda similar to refering to the Internet as 'mailx' :-), which is more appropriately called VNET, can get email access to the Internet by getting a (electronic) signature from their manager. Certain sites around (specifically IBM Research and the groups working on Unix -- AWD and Personal Systems Programming) have Real(TM) Internet connections (although not everyone has direct access, for various reasons). Access, again, requires a manager's approval. A few other sites, I believe, have various UUCP connections. >Las Colinas, I had to "apply" for a external-email-allowed account. Without >it, I could neither send or receive email from external nets. > >I understand that this process continues today. To some extent. Depends where you are...