res1@whuts.UUCP (STEALEY) (08/27/85)
I see references to Tymnet frequently. Could anyone explain the function of it, please? Seems like it has something to do with accessing data bases, Compuserve, etc.
lear@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU (eliot lear) (08/29/85)
Tymnet is a nationwide network that allows people to access their computer from
far distances. I believe it is DOD sponsored but I know it is restricted to
a small group of users. Basically, a user dials an access number, then enters
his/her password, and then connects to a desired host. Tymnet is not unlike
Telenet.
--
[lear@topaz.rutgers.edu]
[{allegra,seismo}!topaz!lear]kds@intelca.UUCP (Ken Shoemaker) (08/31/85)
> Tymnet is a nationwide network that allows people to access their computer from > far distances. I believe it is DOD sponsored but I know it is restricted to > a small group of users. Basically, a user dials an access number, then enters > his/her password, and then connects to a desired host. Tymnet is not unlike > Telenet. > -- > > [lear@topaz.rutgers.edu] > [{allegra,seismo}!topaz!lear] ok, but... 1) I don't think it is DOD sponsered, since I have used it to access computers that would shudder to be associated with DOD 2) I believe that they are on the net with a site in Cupertino, Ca. called tymnet (or something like that...) -- ...and I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody outside of a small circle of friends... Ken Shoemaker, Microprocessor Design for a large, Silicon Valley firm {pur-ee,hplabs,amd,scgvaxd,dual,qantel}!intelca!kds ---the above views are personal. They may not represent those of the employer of its submitter.
johnl@ima.UUCP (09/01/85)
/* Written 4:22 pm Aug 29, 1985 by lear@topaz in ima:net.micro */ > Tymnet is a nationwide network that allows people to access their computer > from far distances. I believe it is DOD sponsored but I know it is > restricted to a small group of users. Basically, a user dials an access > number, then enters his/her password, and then connects to a desired host. > Tymnet is not unlike Telenet. Jeepers, what a lot of misinformation. Tymnet is a public packet switched data network, and is Telenet's arch competitor. Although it can be used for general purpose data communication among its subscribers, it is mostly used for remote terminal access. If a computer service makes arrangements with Tymnet, any of the service's customers can call in through Tymnet which is usually much cheaper than making a long-distance phone call. Typical systems that allow Tymnet access are Compuserve and MCI Mail. The billing is handled through the computer service -- you don't have to make any arrangements with Tymnet yourself. I suspect that Tymnet has hundreds of thousands of users over, say, a year. Tymnet is a subsidiary of Tymshare, an old-line time sharing company, and has nothing to do with DOD. John Levine, ima!johnl
rbp@investor.UUCP (Bob Peirce) (09/01/85)
I don't know everything tymnet is used for, but it does provide a
way for people to access computer services of one sort or another
through a local phone call. In my experience with it, the vendor of
the service hooks up to Tymnet. He provides you with the info to
log in and a local phone number. This save the supplier from having
to provide his own out of town links.
--
Bob Peirce, Pittsburgh, PA
uucp: ...!{allegra, bellcore, cadre, idis}
!pitt!darth!investor!rbp
412-471-5320
NOTE: Mail must be < 30K bytes/messagegranvold@tymix.UUCP (Tom Granvold) (09/02/85)
-
In reading the explanation of what Tymnet is my first responce is:
Tymnet is not DOD sponsored! Tymnet was, up to early 1984, a
wholly owned by Tymshare. It was not a part of Tymshare because
of FCC regulations. In 1984 Tymshare was bought by McDonnell Douglas,
is now named Tymnet, A McDonnall Douglas Company.
After thinking for a minute I wonder if we (Tymnet) are not after all DOD
DOD sponsored. After all we are part of McDonnell Douglas :-)
Tom Granvold
Tymnet
ucbvax!oliveb!tymix!granvoldFTD%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA (David D. Story) (09/02/85)
Re: Are all networks in essense DOD sponsored ? Why of course you're not ! Nor are speed traps, boob tubes, bit chompers, cellophane, canned food, star trek and the rest of the military/industrial complex (if the term is not outdated). Cheers, Dave
bobh@pedsgd.UUCP (Bob Halloran) (09/03/85)
In article <52@intelca.UUCP> kds@intelca.UUCP (Ken Shoemaker) writes: >> Tymnet is a nationwide network that allows people to access their computer from >> far distances. I believe it is DOD sponsored but I know it is restricted to >> a small group of users. Basically, a user dials an access number, then enters >> his/her password, and then connects to a desired host. Tymnet is not unlike >> Telenet. >> -- >> >> [lear@topaz.rutgers.edu] > >ok, but... > >1) I don't think it is DOD sponsered, since I have used it to access > computers that would shudder to be associated with DOD > >2) I believe that they are on the net with a site in Cupertino, Ca. > called tymnet (or something like that...) Facts of the matter: 1) Tymnet is very much like GTE Telenet; they are both commercial, for-profit packet-switched VAN's (value-added network) 2) NO, they are not DOD sponsored, though I expect they have some government machines hanging off their lines. 3) Yes, they have a Usenet node 'tymix' in Cupertino CA, though given their for-profit basis, I doubt you can obtain free UUCP <-> Tymnet gateway service through it. 4) Their headquarters are, I believe, in the Virginia suburbs of DC; they probably have an 800 number for further information. Bob Halloran Sr MTS, Perkin-Elmer DSG ============================================================================= UUCP: {decvax, ucbvax, most Action Central}!vax135\ {topaz, pesnta, princeton}!petsd!pedsgd!bobh USPS: 106 Apple St M/S 305, Tinton Falls NJ 07724 DDD: (201) 758-7000 Disclaimer: My opinions are my own. Quote: "History is made at night. Character is what you are in the Dark."
jbn@wdl1.UUCP (09/06/85)
Tymnet is the first large packet switching network; it came up slightly
before the ARPANET in the late 1960s, as a system used to allow customers
to access the time sharing computers of Tymshare, Incorporated. As
deregulation of telecommunications began, the network was offered as a service
to other operators of computer systems, and the business was split off as
Tymnet, Incorporated.
The original Tymshare hosts were Scientific Data Systems 945 machines;
the original packet switches were Varian Data 620Is. Tymnet was and is
a virtual circuit network with central call setup and teardown. There is
a central network supervisor that sets up and tears down connections,
authenticates users, and records accounting information. There are several
machines throughout the net that can be the supervisor, but only one is
active at any one time. (In recent years, the network has grown to the
point that there are now regional supervisors, but the centralized control
concept remains.) The original network backbone was only 2400 baud, but
this has been increased substantially over the years.
All virtual circuit networks are in a sense descendants of Tymnet;
the X.25 link / X.75 gateway model of the world is close to the Tymnet
design. The original Tymnet papers make fascinating reading today; the
terminology of ``red balls,'' ``green balls'', ``circuit zappers'', and
``leprechauns'' seems very strange today. But someone had to invent the
technology, and they did it. Tymnet is definitely not based on the
ARPANET; in fact, Telenet, which started with ARPANET technology, has
converted over to a system more like Tymnet.
Tymnet today has dial-in ports in most major population centers
of the U.S.; their primary business is offfering dial-in access over a
wide area for terminal to host communications.
John Nagle