|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BITNET Overview
BITNET Network Information Center, CREN BITNET OVERVIEW 08/06/92
Suite 600, 1112 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA +1 202-872-4200
The Corporation for Research and Educational Networking
BITNET Overview
BITNET is an electronic communication network linking institutional
and departmental computers at some 560 participating organizational CREN
members in the United States, including universities, colleges, schools,
collaborating research centers, and government agencies. With its
Cooperating Networks in other countries, BITNET is part of a single logical
network connecting about 1,400 organizations in 49 countries, for the
electronic exchange of information in support of research and education.
In addition, gateways allow the exchange of electronic mail between BITNET
and the Internet (NSFNET and its associated regional, state, and campus
networks) and other networks.
BITNET users share information via electronic mail to individuals and
subscribers to shared-interest electronic mailing lists; transfer of
documents, programs, and data; access to BITNET server machines and
associated data services; and brief, nearly-interactive messages. Some
3,000 discussion lists active on BITNET cover most topics of academic
interest; a list may have as many as several thousand participants.
BITNET user support and information services are provided by the
BITNET Network Information Center (BITNIC) and by individuals throughout
the network. In addition to collecting, managing, and helping to
distribute the information required for the operation of the US portion of
the worldwide BITNET network, BITNIC provides online and telephone
assistance for campus support staff, and both printed and online
documentation. It supports several of the network-related discussion lists
and provides on-line information files.
BITNET is a "store-and-forward" network based on IBM's NJE
communications protocol; information originating at a given BITNET-
connected computer (node) is received by intermediate nodes and forwarded
to its destination. Computers in BITNET are interconnected by leased lines
or other permanent links. BITNET nodes may be IBM VM/CMS or MVS systems,
or non-IBM computers that can communicate using the NJE protocol: VAX/VMS
systems are very common, and there are also Unix, CDC, and other systems.
BITNET is operated by the Corporation for Research and Educational
Networking, a non-profit membership corporation. Day-to-day operations and
support provided by the BITNET Network Information Center are funded
through CREN membership fees. The cost of CREN membership and BITNET
services is based on the budget of the Member institution; it is
independent of the number of computers connected to BITNET and the amount
of network use by the Member's staff and students.
CREN Membership or Affiliation is open to universities, colleges, and
other institutions serving higher education; kindergarten through twelfth
grade schools and school districts; government agencies; industrial
research organizations; and other organizations approved by the CREN Board.
All applications for CREN Membership and Affiliation must be approved by
the CREN Board of Trustees.
BITNET services are open to all CREN Members and Affiliates. Each
CREN Member has a Member Representative, responsible for casting the
Member's vote in elections for Board members and in any other business
which might require a vote of the CREN membership, and as the primary
contact for matters of policy and to resolve any membership issues which
may arise. CREN Affiliates are required to name a corresponding Affiliate
Representative without voting privileges. BITNET subscribers also have two
other representatives: the BITNET Information Representative, to whom the
member's staff and students turn for information about BITNET and its use;
and the BITNET Technical Representative, who is responsible for the
technical aspects of BITNET operation at the member's site and for
providing BITNET the information it requires about the member's BITNET-
connected computers.
BITNET connectivity by geographic regions (approximate numbers):
2271 nodes 630 Members North America (US, Canada)
900 nodes Europe
120 nodes Asia
48 nodes South America
14 nodes Central America
4 nodes Africa
Participation in BITNET and its Cooperating Networks by 49 countries:
Africa: Egypt, Tunisia
Asia: Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Singapore, Taiwan
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain,
Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Yugoslavia
Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
North America: Canada, United States
Central America: Costa Rica, Mexico
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,
Uruguay
Note: Iceland, though in BITEARN NODES, is accessible only via a
gateway.
|