EFF's (Extended) Guide to the Internet

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Unfortunately the legal eagles of Prentice-Hall didn't

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formerly known as "Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet"

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Although using emacs you'd simply say `M-x auto-fill-mode' to turn on (off) automatic word wrap.

Note that some countries have their own national FidoNet backbones, and thus the address part `fidonet.org', should better be replaced with the national Internet domain name, to prevent superfluous routing of mail; e.g. in Germany, you might address a Fido node via `fido.de', and get `FirstName.LastName@f190.n322.z2.fido.de' instead of the example provided above.

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NSFnet backbone project

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155 megabit/s

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high speed data transfer

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Network Access Points (NAP's)

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NSF sponsored super computer centers

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The contractor providing the NAP's.

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The contractor to provide the backbone telecommunications services

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The Existing internet, regional, state, and other networks

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NSF plans to provide interim funding for NSF regionals to connect to the NAP's. State networks and other government agencies are on their own.

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The existing NSFnet will be turned off at some point after the new "arrangement" is in place.

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The Very High Speed Backbone Service (VBNS) is reserved for applications and purposes where a demonstrated need for high speed/capacity transmission is needed.

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NSF will require approval.

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NSF does not wish to clog the VBNS with low speed aggregate traffic unless additions are made to the network. 70 MPH = 45 MBS.

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The NSF expects commercial providers like AT&T, MCI to put networking between NAP's. Most of the existing NSFnet traffic would go over these commercial networks which would have to be paid for by the users.

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The usefulness of super computer systems has been grossly reduced by the technological advances associated with very powerful Unix work stations. Super computers fill a diminishing niche in science and industry.

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NSF is looking for potential users that can use more than one super computer center and use the VBNS to make the application work. Applications of this nature are a bit obscure.

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There are no specifications for commercial providers.

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NSF super computer centers are no longer funded by NSF so they compete for commercial and non-commercial business.

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NSF is asking the NSF super computer centers to develop demonstration applications which show how the network might be used. These applications would demonstrate, and not necessarly do anything useful.

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The major telecommunications suppliers will be selling similar services this year without the complications of the NAP's. The NAP's primary function would allow communications between commercial vendors which would be very useful, but it is unclear if the telecommunications suppliers will "buy" into this concept.