The Computer Science Network

THE CSNET PHOJECT, sponsored by t,he National Science Foundaton, has as its goal the design and implementation of a computer communications network to provide services to computer science research groups in the United States Experience with Arpanet has shown that access to a computer network can lead to a significantly higher level of interactlion between geographically dispersed researchers. This can result in an increase in the quantit,y and quality of research produced by these researchers. In addition, it is expected that availability of a network will help address t,he current ‘crisis in computer science’ by encouraging more researchers to remain at universities. In this rcga.rd, a goal of CSNET is to foster ‘universal connectivity’, i.e., participation by every university, industrial, and government computer science research group in the LJnited States. By December 1982, over eighty university, government, and industrial sites will be participating. C:SNET is a logical network with hosts connected to a number of physical networks including Phonenet, Telcnet and Arpanct. Adoption of compatible protocols enables communication between users of ho&s on the different physical networks. Cooperation with the Department of Defense, particularly DARPA and DCA, has hccn instrumental in enabling communicat,ion between CSNET hosts on the component networks. Supported network services include electronic ma.il, file tra.nsfer, and remote system access. A variety of access alternatives at different costs and service levels arc available Fees depend upon usage levels. The system has been structured so that any computer science researcher in the United Stat,es can can afford to participate if only via access to the network mail system. Design and implementation of CSNET is underway at, t,he Ilniversity of Wisconsin, Rand Corporation, Purdue University, and the University of Delaware In addition, BRN has recently received a contract to operate t,he CSNET Coordination and Information Center. As of August 1, 1982 twenty seven sit,es were participat.ing in the Phonenet component of CSNET. A mail relay computer at the University of Delaware delivers mail t,o and picks up mail from each Phonenet host several times a day Phonenet hosts can send mail to or receive mail from Phonenet and Arpanet hosts. By October, a second relay, at, Rand, will be operational. As traffic warrants, more relays can be added. The Rand and Delaware relays are cormected to Arpanet and Telenet Each relay will poll a selected set of Phonenet sites. However, users need not know eit,her which relay polls their site or which relay polls the recipient site. Phonenct provides mail access to the CSNET and Darpa Internet environments. Phonenct, addresses conform to standards used in Arpanet and hence need not specify route irlformation. Moreover, either delivery or notification of nondelivery is guaranteed (as much as is possible). Phonenet is only one component of CSNET The Purdue project will enable CSNET hosts to connect to Telenet via