As per Relevance of the word research, we have this rfc below:

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Network Working Group Barry M.
Request for Comments: 1015
July 1987


Implementation Plan for Interagency Research

STATUS OF THIS

The RFC proposes an Interagency Research Internet as the
outgrowth of the current Internet. This is an "idea paper"
discussion is strongly encouraged. Distribution of this memo
unlimited



Networking has become widespread in the scientific community,
even more so in the computer science community. There are
being supported by a number of the Federal agencies interested
scientific research, and many scientists throughout the country
access to one or more of these networks. Furthermore, there are
resources (such as supercomputers) that are accessible via
networks

While many of these networks are interconnected on an
basis, there is currently no consistent mechanism to allow
of the networking resources. Recognizing this problem, the
Committee on Very High Performance Computing formed a
Working Group. This group has recommended an administrative
management structure for interconnecting the current and
agency networks supporting research. The structure is based on
concept of a network of networks using standard
protocols

This report elaborates on the earlier recommendation and provides
implementation plan. It addresses three major areas;
infrastructure, user support, and ongoing research. A management
administrative structure is recommended for each area, and
budgetary estimate provided. A phased approach for
is suggested that will quickly provide interconnection and lead
the full performance and functionality as the required
are developed and installed. While this report addresses
interconnection of agency networks, and cooperation by
federal agencies, some discussion is presented of the possible
that industry can play in support and use of such a network

Work reported herein was supported by Cooperative Agreement NCC 2-
387 from the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration (NASA)



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the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). This report
prepared in response to a request from John Cavallini, Chairman
the Networking Working Group of the FCCSET Committee on Very
Performance Computing



Computer networks are critical in providing scientists access
computing resources (such as supercomputers) and permitting
supported interaction between researchers. Several agencies
recognizing this need, have established networks to provide
needed communications infrastructure. The need for
infrastructure, though, cuts across the various agencies. To
end, the FCCSET Committee on Very High Performance Computing
Working Group has recommended the formation of an
Research Internet (IRI) [1].

The purpose of this report is to suggest an implementation plan
such an IRI. It addresses three major areas;
infrastructure, user support, and ongoing research. A management
administrative structure is recommended for each area, and
budgetary estimate provided. A phased approach for implementation
suggested that will quickly provide interconnection and lead to
full performance and functionality as the required technologies
developed and installed. Finally, some discussion is presented on
possible role for industry in supporting and using such a network



The prime responsibility for providing the required
for successful research lies with the researcher, his/
institution, and the agency supporting that research. Thus,
individual agencies have installed and are continuing to
computer networks to allow their researchers to access
computing resources such as supercomputers as well as being able
communicate with each other via such facilities as electronic mail

However, there are a number of reasons why it is advantageous
interconnect the various agency networks in a coherent manner so
to provide a common "virtual" network supporting research

The need to make effective use of available networks
unnecessary duplication. The agencies each support researchers
many parts of the country, and have installed equally
resources. Often, it is more effective for a scientist to
provided networking service through a different agency network
the one funding his research. For example, suppose
scientists at an institution are already being funded by NASA



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are connected to a NASA supported network. Now a scientist at
same institution but supported by NSF needs access to an
supercomputer. It is much more effective to provide
connectivity through an interconnection of NASA and NSF
than to establish another connection (to NSFnet) to the
university

The need to establish communication infrastructure to
scientists to access resources without regard to which network
are connected but without violating access controls on either
networks or the resources. A scientist may be supported by
agencies, and therefore have access to resources provided by
agencies. It is not cost-effective to have to provide a
network connection to the scientist for each of those
resources

The need for a communications infrastructure to
collaborative scientific research. One of the primary functions of
computer network supporting science is the encouraging
collaboration between researchers. Scientific disciplines
cut across many different agencies. Thus, support of
collaboration should be without regard to agency affiliation
support of the scientists involved

The need for a cooperative research and development program
evolve and enhance the IRI and its components where appropriate
Scientific research is highly demanding of both the computing
networking environment. To assure that these needs continue to
met, it is necessary to continually advance the state of the art
networking, and apply the results to the research networks.
individual agency can afford to support the required
alone, nor is it desirable to have inordinate duplication
research

Summary of previous

These reasons led to the formation of the FCCSET Commitee on
High Performance Computing and its Network Working Group. This
began in early 1985 to discuss the possibility of
into a common networking facility the various agency
supporting scientific research. These discussions led to the
issued earlier this year [1] recommending such an approach

The report used the "Network of Networks" or Internet model
interconnection. Using a standard set of protocols, the
networks can be connected to provide a common set of user
across heterogenous networks and heterogenous host computers [2,
3,4]. This approach is discussed further in the Background



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below

The report goes on to recommend an administrative and
structure that matches the technical approach. Each agency
continue to manage and administer its individual networks.
interagency body would provide direction to a selected
who would provide the management and operation of
interconnections of the networks and the common user
provided over the network. This selected organization would
provide for coordination of research activities,
developments, and reflecting research community requirements
the national and international standards activities

Overview of Implementation

The general structure of the proposed IRI is analogous to a
approach. Each of the agencies is responsible for operating its
networks and satisfying its users' requirements. The IRI
the interconnecting infrastructure to permit the users on
network to access resources or users on other networks. The IRI
provides a set of standards and services which the
agencies, networks, and user communities can exploit in
capabilities to their individual users. The management structure
likewise, provides a mechanism by which the individual agencies
cooperate without interfering with the agencies'
authorities or responsibilities

In this report, an implementation plan for the IRI is proposed
First, some background is given of the previous efforts to
networks in support of research, and the genesis of those networks
A description of the suggested approach to attaining an IRI is
given. This description is divided into two sections; technical
management. The technical approach consists of two components.
is the provision of an underlying communications infrastructure
i.e. a means for providing connectivity between the
computers and workstations. Second is provision of the means
users to make effective use of that infrastructure in support
their research

The management section elaborates on the suggestions made in
FCCSET committee report. A structure is suggested that allows
various agencies to cooperate in the operations, maintenance
engineering, and research activities required for the IRI.
structure also provides the necessary mechanisms for the
research community to provide input with respect to requirements
approaches

Finally, a phased implementation plan is presented which would



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the IRI to be put in place rapidly with modest funding. A
estimate is also provided



The combination of packet switched computer networks
internetworking to allow heterogeneous computers to communicate
heterogeneous networks, the widespread use of local area networks
and the availability of workstations and supercomputers has
rise to the opportunity to provide greatly improved
capabilities to science and engineering. This is the
motivation behind the IRI

History of Research

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) developed
concept of packet switching beginning in the mid 1960's.
with the Arpanet (the world's first packet switched network) [5],
number of networks have been developed. These have included
satellite networks [6,7], packet radio networks [8,7], and
area networks [9].

Although the original motivation for the Arpanet development
computer resource sharing, it was apparent early on that a major
of such networks would be for access to computer resources
interaction between users [10]. Following the Arpanet development
a number of other networks have been developed and used to
both of these functions [11]. CSNET was initiated to
communications between computer science researchers [12,13].
was initiated by the NSF in cooperation with a number
universities, but is now self-sufficient. Its subscribers
universities throughout the world as well as industrial
interested in interacting with computer scientists

CSNET makes use of a number of networking technologies including
Arpanet, public X.25 networks, and dial-up connections over
lines, to support electronic mail and other networking functions.
addition to the basic data transport service, CSNET and
operate network information centers which provide help to users
the network as well as a number of services including a listing
users with their mail addresses (white pages) and a repository
relevant documents are stored and can be retrieved

With the installation of supercomputers came the desire to
network access for researchers. One of the early networks
provide this capability was MFEnet [11]. It was established in
early 1970's to provide DOE-supported users access
supercomputers, particularly a Cray 1 at Lawrence Livermore



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Labs. Because MFEnet was established prior to widespread adoption
the TCP/IP protocol suite (to be discussed below), the MFEnet uses
different set of protocols. However, interfaces have been
between the MFEnet and other networks, and a migration plan
currently under development

NASA Ames Research Center has long been in the forefront of
advanced computers to support scientific research. The
computing facility, the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulator, uses a
2 and other machines along with a number of networking
to provide support to computational fluid dynamics researchers [14].
This system uses the TCP/IP protocol suite both locally and
and provides easy access through advanced workstations

Recognizing the importance of advanced computers in carrying
scientific research, NSF in 1984 embarked on an ambitious program
provide supercomputer access to researchers. This program
both the provision of supercomputers themselves (through purchase
computer time initially, and establishment of supercomputer centers
and provision of access to those supercomputers through an
networking program, NSFnet [15]. The NSFnet uses a number
existing networks (e.g. Arpanet, BITNET, MFEnet) and
networks interconnected using the TCP/IP protocol suite (
below) to permit scientists widespread access to the
centers and each other. The NSFnet is also taking advantage of
widespread installation of campus and regional networks to
this connectivity in a cost effective manner

The above are only a small number of the current and
networks being used to support research. Quarterman [11] provides
good synopsis of the networks currently in operation. It is
from this that effective interconnection of the networks can
cost-efficient and reliable services

Starting in the early 1970's, recognizing that the military had
need to interconnect various networks (such as packet radio
mobile operation with long-line networks like the Arpanet),
initiated the development of the internet technologies [16].
Beginning with the development of the protocols for
and reliable transport (TCP/IP), the program has developed
for providing electronic mail, remote login, file transfer
similar functions between differing computers over
networks [4,3]. Today, using that technology, thousands
computers are able to communicate with each other over a "
network" of approximately 200 networks using a common set
protocols. The concepts developed are being used in the
model and protocols of the Open Systems Interconnection model
developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO) [17].



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This is becoming even more important with the widespread use
local area networks. As institutions install their own networks
and need to establish communications with computers at other sites
it is important to have a common set of protocols and a means
interconnecting the local networks to wide area networks

Internet

The DARPA Internet system uses a naming and addressing protocol
called the Internet Protocol (IP), to interconnect networks into
single virtual network. Figure 1 shows the interconnection of
variety of networks into the Internet system. The naming
addressing structure allows any computer on any network to
in a uniform manner any computer on any other network.
processors, called Gateways, are installed at the interfaces
two or more networks and provide both routing amongst the
networks as well as the appropriate translation from
addresses to the address required for the attached networks. Thus
packets of data can flow between computers on the internet

Because of the possiblity of packet loss or errors, the
Control Protocol (TCP) is used above the IP to provide
reliability and sequencing. TCP together with IP and the
networks and gateways then provides for reliable and
delivery of data between computers. A variety of functions can
this connection to provide service to the users. A summary of
functions provided by the current internet system is given in [4].

To assure interoperability between military users of the system,
Office of the Secretary of Defense mandated the use of the TCP/
protocol suite wherever there is a need for interoperable
switched communications. This led to the standardization of
protocols [18, 19, 20, 21, 22].


















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+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+
| FS| | SC| | SC| | SC| | SC| | SC
+-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+
| | | | | |
--+-------+-----+-----+-------+--LAN-- --+------+-+---+----LAN--
| | | | | |
+-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ | |
| WS | | WS | | WS | | WS | | |
+-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ | |
+-+-+ +-+-+
| G | | G |
+-+-+ +-+-+
| |
+--------------+ +--------------+
| Agency | +-+-+ | Agency |
| Network |--| G |--| Network |
+------+-------+ +---+ +------+-----+-+
| | |
+-+-+ +-+-+ |
| G | | G | |
+-+-+ +-+-+ |
/ / +-------+
/ / | TS |
/ / +-+-----+
+--------------+ +--------------+ | |...|
| Regional | | Commercial | T T
| Network | | Network |
+-----+--------+ +------+-------+
| |
+-+-+ |
| G | |
+-+-+ |
| +-+-+
| | H |
| +---+
----+------+-----+-----+------LAN----
| | | |
+-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ +-------------------------+
| WS | | WS | | WS | | WS | | H - Host |
+-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ +-+--+ | WS - Workstation |
| SC - Supercomputer |
| TS - Terminal Server |
| FS - File Server |
| G - Gateway |
+-------------------------+

Figure 1: Internet




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Thus, the TCP/IP protocol suite and associated mechanisms (e.g
gateways) provides a way to interconnect heterogeneous computers
heterogenous networks. Routing and addressing functions are
care of automatically and transparently to the users.The ISO
currently developing a set of standards for interconnection
are very similar in function to the DARPA developed technologies
Although ISO is making great strides, and the National Bureau
Standards is working with a set of manufacturers to develop
demonstrate these standards, the TCP/IP protocol suite
represents the most available and tested technology
interconnection of computers and networks. It is for that
that several agencies/programs, including the Department of Defense
NSF and NASA/NAS, have all adopted the TCP/IP suite as the
viable set of standards currently. As the international
mature, and products supporting them appear, it can be expected
the various networks will switch to using those standards

TECHNICAL

The Internet technology described above provides the basis
interconnection of the various agency networks. The means
interconnect must satisfy a number of constraints if it is to
viable in a multi-agency environment

Each agency must retain control of its own networks. Networks
been established to support agency-specific missions as well
general computer communications within the agency and
contractors. To assure that these missions continue to be
appropriately, as well as assure appropriate accountability for
network operation, the mechanism for interconnection must
prevent the agencies from retaining control over their
networks

This is not to say that agencies may not choose to have
individual networks operated by the IRI, or even turned over to
IRI if they determine that to be appropriate

Appropriate access control, privacy, and accounting mechanisms
be incorporated. This includes access control to data, resources
and the networks themselves, privacy of user data, and
mechanisms to support both cost allocation and cost auditing [23].

The technical and adminstrative approach must allow (
encourage) the incorporation of evolving technologies.
particular, the network must evolve towards provision of
bandwidth, type of service routing, and other advanced techniques
allow effective use of new computing technology in a
research environment



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Communications

The communications infrastructure provides connectivity between
machines, workstations, and centralized resources such
supercomputers and database machines. This roughly corresponds
communications services at and below the transport layer in the
OSI reference model. There are two different types of networks.
first are local networks, meaning those which are internal to
facility, campus, etc. The second are networks which provide
service between facilities. These transit networks can
directly to computers, but are evolving in a direction of
local networks. The networks supported by the individual
directly are mainly in the category of transit (or long-haul
networks, as they typically provide nationwide connectivity,
usually leave communications within a facility to be dealt with
the facility itself. The IRI communications infrastructure
deals mainly with the interconnection of transit networks

The internet model described above provides a simple method
interconnecting transit networks (as well as local networks.)
using IP gateways between the agency networks, packet
service can be provided between computers on any of the
networks. The placement of the gateways and their capacity will
to be determined by an initial engineering study. In addition,
the IRI evolves, it may be cost-effective to install one or
wide area networks (or designate certain existing ones) to be
transit networks, to be used by all agencies on a cost
basis. Thus, the IRI communications infrastructure would consist
the interconnecting gateways plus any networks used specifically
transit networks. Using IP as the standard for interconnection
networks and global addressing provides a common virtual
packet transport service, upon which can be built various
network services such as file transfer and electronic mail.
will allow sharing of the communication facilities (channels
satellites, etc.) between the various user/agency communities in
cost effective manner

To assure widespread interconnectivity, it is important
standards be adopted for use in the IRI and the various
connected to it. These standards need to cover not only the
transport capability but must address all the services required
networking in a scientific domain, including but not limited to
transfer, remote login, and electronic mail. Ultimately it
desirable to move towards a single set of standards for the
common services, and the logical choice for those standards
those being developed in the international commercial
(i.e. the ISO standards). However, many of the scientific
today use one or more of a small number of different standards;



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particular the TCP/IP protocol suite mentioned above, the
protocols, and DECNET. As the international standards mature, it
expected that the number of communities using the same
suite will grow [5] [6]. Even today, several of
agencies/communities are using a common protocol suite, namely
TCP/IP suite. All the users connected to those computers
networks are able to have the full functions of an
networking capability. And therefore the ability of the users
share resources and results will increase

User

In order that scientists can effectively use the network,
needs to be a user support organization. To maximize the
effectiveness of the overall IRI, the local user support
must be used effectively. In particular, it is anticipated
direct support of users/researchers would be provided by
support personnel. The IRI user support organization would
support to those local support personnel in areas where
common service is cost effective

In particular, the this organization has several functions:
the local support personnel in the installation of
compatible with the IRI, provide references to standard
(e.g. networking interfaces, mail software) to the local
personnel, answer questions that local personnel are not able
answer, aid in the provision of specific user community services
e.g. database of relevance to specific scientific domain

Internet Research

To evolve internet to satisfy new scientific requirements and
use of new technology, research is required in several areas.
include high speed networking, type of service routing, new end
end protocols, and congestion control. The IRI
structure can assist in identifying areas of research where
various agencies have a common interest in supporting in order
evolve the network, and then assist in the coordination of
research

MANAGEMENT

A management approach is required that will allow each agency
retain control of its own networking assets while sharing
resources with users sponsored by other agencies. To
this, the following principles and constraints need to be followed

IRI consists of the infrastructure to connect agency networks



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the user services required for effective use of the
networks and resources

An organization must be identified to be responsible for
engineering, operation, and maintenance of both the
infrastructure and the user services support

While some agencies may choose to make use of IRI facilities
contractors to manage their individual agency networks, this
not be required and is not anticipated to be the normal situation
Any such arrangement would have to be negotiated individually
directly between the agency and the IRI operations organization
Normally, the IRI organization would neither manage the
agency networks nor have any jurisdiction within such networks

Gateways that interconnect the agency networks as well as any long
haul networks put in place specifically as jointly supported
networks (if any such networks are required) will be managed
operated under the IRI organization

A support organization for common IRI services is required.
principal clients for these services would be the local
personnel

The IRI structure should support the coordination of the
research activities required for evolution and enhancement of
IRI

General Management

Figure 2 shows the basic management structure for the IRI. It
based on the use of a non-profit organization (call it
Interagency Research Internet Organization, IRIO) to manage both
communications infrastructure and user support. The IRIO
for the engineering, development, operations, and maintenance
those services with various commercial and other organizations.
would be responsible for providing technical and
management of the contractors providing these functions. Having
IRI operational management provided by an independent non-
organization skilled in the area of computer networking will
the flexibility required to deal with the evolving and
demands of scientific networking in a cost-effective manner

Direction and guidance for the IRIO will be provided by a
Board consisting of representatives from the Government agencies
are funding the IRI. The Chairman of the Board will be selected
the agency representatives on a rotating basis. The Board will
have an Executive Director to provide administrative and



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support. To provide effective support for the IRI Policy Board
well as assure appropriate coordination with the IRIO, the
Director shall be the Director of the IRIO

To assure that the IRI provides the best support possible to
scientific research community, the Policy Board will be advised by
Technical Advisory Board (TAB) consisting of representatives
the network research and engineering community, the various
being interconnected with the IRI, and the scientific
community. Members of the TAB will be selected by the Policy Board
The TAB will review the operational support of science
provided by the IRI and suggest directions for improvement. The
will interface directly with the IRIO to review the
status and plans for the future, and recommend to the Policy
any changes in priorities or directions

Research activities related to the use and evolution of the
system will be coordinated by the Internet Research Activities
(IRAB). The IRAB consists of the chairmen of the research
forces (see below) and has as ex-officio members technical
representatives from the funding agencies and the IRIO.
charter of the IRAB is to identify required directions for
to improve the IRI, and recommend such directions to the
agencies. In addition, the IRAB will continually review
research activities and identify how they can be exploited
improve the IRI

The Research Task Forces will each be concerned with a
area/emphasis of research (e.g. end-to-end protocols,
architectures, etc.). Members will be active researchers in
field and the chairman an expert in the area with a
understanding of research both in that area and the general
(and its use for scientific research). The chairmen of the
forces will be selected by IRAB, and thus the IRAB will be a self
elected and governing organization representing the
research community. The chairmen will solicit the members of
task force as volunteers














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+------+ +------+ +------+ +------+ .... +------+
|DARPA | | NSF | | DOE | | NASA | |Others
+--+---+ +--+---+ +--+---+ +--+---+ +--+---+
| | | | |
+--+--------+-----------+----+------+-------------------+
| | +------------+
| Funding | Representatives | Scientific
| | | Research |
V V | Community |
+-------------+ +-------------+ +----------+-+
| Selecting | Policy | Policy | |
| Contracting|<-------------+ Board | Advice |
| Agency | +->| |<------------+ |
+-----+-------+ | +------+------+ | |
|Funding | |Management +------+<--+
| Advice and Plans| | | TAB |<-------+
| +---------------+ V +------+<---- + |
| | +------------+ ^ ^ | |
+---|------------------>| | Interaction| | | |
| | IRIO |<-----------+ | | |
| +------------->| |<-----------+ | | |
| | Interaction +-----+------+ Interaction| | | |
| | | V | | |
| | +-----------+----------+ +------------+ | |
| | |Management | Funding | | Constituent| | |
| | | | | | Networks | | |
V V V V V +------------+ | |
+-------+ +--------+ +--------+ +-----------+ | |
| IRAB | |Network | | User | | Other | | |
+-------+ | O&M | |Services| |Contractors| | |
| +----+---+ +---+----+ +-----+-----+ | |
| | | | | |
| +---------+-------------+----------------+ |
| |
+-----------------+--------------------+ |
|Chair |Chair |Chair |
V V V |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+ |
|TASK FORCE| |TASK FORCE| .... |TASK FORCE| |
+----------+ +----------+ +----------+ |
^ ^ ^ |
| | | |
V V V |
+--------------------------------------+ |
| Network Research Community |------------------+
+--------------------------------------+

Figure 2: IRI Management



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In this section, the funding of the IRI is described. Recall
the IRI consists of the infrastructure to connect the
networks and the services required for users to make effective
of such an infrastructure. These costs are divided into
categories; operations costs and research costs. The
costs are those to operate and maintain both the
infrastructure and the user services. These costs must be
between the various agencies and channeled to the IRIO to
the IRI. The research costs are those used to carry out the
research to evolve the IRI. These costs are handled within
various agency budgets and used to support research in each
with coordination between the agencies

Operations

Each participating agency will contribute a share of operations
of IRI. Initially, each agency will contribute an equal share
Later, perhaps, the agency contributions will be adjusted
to a number of factors such as number of users, amount of traffic
type of support required (high bandwidth real time versus
bandwidth mail for example).

To facilitate the funding and administration of the IRI, one
will be selected to manage the contract with IRIO. All funds
flow through that agency to the IRIO via interagency transfer.
role of the selected agency would be to provide the
contractual activities and adminstrative management.
guidance and monitoring of IRIO activities would be provided by
IRI Policy Board

It is not yet clear which Federal agency is best for this role.
requirements for such an agency include the ability to deal
with the evolving requirements of the IRI, to deal with
flowing from the various agencies, and to deal flexibly with
various agency technical representatives and incorporate
recommendations into the contract as required. One of the
activities required for the Policy Board would be to select
appropriate funding agency

All operations and maintenance funding for the IRI will flow
the IRIO to selected contractors. This allows centralized
of the operation of the IRI

There are two major assumptions underlying the budgetary
to follow. First of all, the IRIO should maintain a fairly
profile with respect to the end users (i.e. the scientists



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RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987


researchers). That is, the users will interact directly with
local support personnel. The IRIO will act as facilitator
coordinator, and provide facilities, information and help
to the local sites. This will allow the IRIO to remain
small, as it will not need to deal directly with the thousands
scientists/users

Second, it is assumed that the operations budget supports
interconnection of agency networks as well as transit
where required, but does not include costs of the individual
networks

Appendix A provides details of the budgetary estimate. Table 1
a summary. Note that the initial year has a higher expenditure
capital equipment, reflecting the need to purchase both the
needed for initial interconnection and the needed facilities
provide the operation of the gateways and the user services
Operations costs are expected to grow by inflation while the
costs should remain constant (decrease when inflation is considered
as the IRI is stabilized

Research

In addition to the costs of operating and maintaining
communications infrastructure and user services, funding must
allocated to support an ongoing program of research to improve
evolve the IRI

While each agency funds its own research program, the intent is
the various programs are coordinated through the IRI Policy Board
Likewise, while it is not intended that funds shall be combined
joint funding of projects is required, such joint activity can
done on an individual arrangement basis

Each agency agrees, as part of the joint IRI activity, to fund
appropriate level of networking research in areas applicable to
evolution. The total funding required is currently estimated to
four million dollars in FY87, growing by inflation in the outyears
Details of this budgetary estimate are provided in Appendix A












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+--------------------------------------------------+
| Table 1 |
| |
| Annual IRI Operations Budget |
+----------+-------------+------------+------------+
| Fiscal | Capital | O & M | Total |
| Year | Cost | Cost | |
| | | | |
| | ($M) | ($M) | ($M) |
+----------+-------------+------------+------------+
| 1987 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
+----------+-------------+------------+------------+
| 1988 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
+----------+-------------+------------+------------+
| 1989 | 1 | 10 | 11 |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| 1990 | 1 | 11 | 12 |
+--------------------------------------------------+
| 1991 | 1 | 12 | 13 |
+--------------------------------------------------+

PHASED IMPLEMENTATION

The long-term goal of the IRI activity is to put in place
functional high-performance network available to scientists
the nation. To accomplish this goal, a steady evolution
capability is envisioned. This phased approach involves
technical and administrative aspects

Technical

Currently, networks are being supported by a number of agencies
discussed in Section 2. Many are using the DoD protocol
(TCP/IP, etc.) and others have incorporated or are
mechanisms for interoperability with networks using the DoD
suite (e.g. MFEnet). Most have discussed eventual evolution to
protocols and beyond. By and large, most of these networks
hooked together in some mainly ad hoc manner already, some
pairwise arrangement and some through third party connections (e.g
a university network connected to two agency networks).

There are two major shortcomings to this ad hoc connection, though
Performance is not adequate for advanced scientific environments
such as supercomputer usage, and community wide user support is
generally available. The phased apprach described below will
these deficiencies to be overcome through coordinated action on
part of the various funding agencies




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RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987


Phase I - Functional

The initial stage of the IRI would provide for sharing of
communications facilities (e.g. channels, satellites, etc.)
interconnecting the networks using the Internet Protocol and
gateways. In addition, mechanisms will be installed (where required
and maintained to allow interconnection of the common user services
such as electronic mail. This will allow sharing of
attached to the network, such as supercomputers. [7] [8] Note
actual use of facilities other than mail would require
with the various responsible parties for each host. For example,
login to a host not only requires network access; it also requires
login account on that host

Specific steps to be undertaken in Phase I are the following

Gateways will be purchased and installed where needed
interconnect the agency networks. The location and performance
these gateways will be specified by the IRIO and approved by
Policy Board. This engineering will take into account an estimate
current and future traffic requirements as well as
interconnecting gateways. It may also result in a
that some or all existing gateways between agency networks
replaced with common hardware so that adequate management of
interconnection can be achieved

An IRI operations and management center will be established for
interconnecting gateways. [9] [10] This perhaps could be done
conjunction with a network management center for another set
gateways, e.g. those supported by DARPA or NSF

The requirement for application gateways or other techniques
interconnect communities using different protocols will
investigated and a recommendation made by the IRIO in
with the IRAB. The appropriate mechanisms will be installed by
IRIO at the direction of the Policy Board

An initial user services facility will be established. This
will provide at a minimum such services as a white pages of
(similar to the current Internet "whois" service) and a means
making accessible standard networking software

The IRAB, in coordination with the Policy Board, will draft
coordinated research plan for the development of the
technologies required for evolution of the IRI






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Phase II - Full IRI

Phase II will make the IRI fully functional with
capabilities and performance

High performance gateways with appropriate new capabilities
functions will be installed, replacing and/or augmenting
gateways in place from Phase I. The functionality and
of these gateways will be specified based on the experience
Phase I use, the anticipated new uses of the network, and the
of the art technologies available as a result of the
research

The basic user services facility will be mature and support
operation. New capabilities will be developed to support
scientific communities (such as a data base of software used by
specific community and its availability over the network.)

A high performance backbone network wil be installed if needed
connect high performance agency networks. [11] [12] This
anticipated because of the move in several agencies to provide
bandwidth networks in support of such activities as
access

The introduction and use of international standards will
investigated and a plan developed for providing more services to
broad scientific community through use of these standards

Administrative

The goal of the IRI is to get to a fully cooperating and
interagency research internet involving most if not all of
agencies supporting scientific research. Recognizing that currently
the major research networking players (both networking for
and research in networking) are DOE, NASA, DARPA, and NSF,
following steps are recommended

The first and critical step is to establish a four agency
of Agreement (MOA) to interconnect the agency networks and to
the costs of interconnection, transit networks, and an
center. A management structure should be agreed upon as
above. Agreement must also be reached on the need to fund
ongoing research and engineering activity to evolve the internet

A Policy Board and Technical Advisory Board should be established
quickly as possible to assure appropriate guidance and direction

The Policy Board shall then select an agency to handle



Leiner [Page 19]

RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987


administrative and contractual actions with the IRIO

A non-profit organization shall then be selected by that
through an appropriate procurement mechanism to be the IRIO.
Policy Board of the IRI shall be the selection panel

The initial four agencies shall transfer the agreed upon funds
the selected contracting agency on equal basis to start

These funds will then allow the contracting agency to establish
contract for the IRIO with the selected non-profit organization

The IRIO can then establish sub-contracts for engineering
procurement, installation, and management of gateways and
of the user services center

To initiate the research coordination, the following steps will
accomplished

The Internet Activities Board will evolve into the Internet
Activities Board, through added membership and charter revision

Additional task forces will be formed as needed to reflect
expanded areas of research interest

Once the IRI is established and operating, the funding and use
the IRI will be reviewed to determine if equal funding is equitable
If not, the IRIO should be tasked to develop a recommendation for
practical cost allocation scheme. In addition, once the IRI
proved itself to be successful, other agencies will join the
and provide additional funding

INDUSTRY

This report has thus far addressed the interconnection of
supported networks and the use of such an internet by
supported researchers. However, industry also has a need for
similar infrastructure to support its research activities. [13]
[14]. Note that this refers only to industrial research activities
It is not envisioned, nor would it be appropriate, for the IRI
provide a communications system for normal industrial activities
Regulatory concerns make it difficult for industry to connect to
network that is supported by a federal agency in pursuit of
agency mission

The IRI structure above, though, may permit the connection
industrial research organizations. Since the IRIO is a non-
non-government organization, it would be able to accept funds



Leiner [Page 20]

RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987


industry as a fair share of the costs of using the IRI. These
in turn can be used to expand the networking resources so that
degradation of service is felt by the users suppported by
federal agencies. This topic would need to be discussed further
the Policy Board and the organization selected as the IRIO

SUMMARY AND

The interconnection of the various agency networks
scientific research into an overall infrastructure in support
such research represents an exciting opportunity. This
recommends an approach and a specific set of actions that
achieve that goal. It is hoped that, regardless of the
used, that the Federal agencies involved recognize the importance
providing an appropriate national infrastructure in support
scientific research and take action to make such an infrastructure
reality



This report was prepared with advice and comments from a
number of people, including the members of the FCCSET
Network Working Group and the Internet Activities Board.
input is greatly appreciated, and I hope that this report
a consensus on both the need for the IRI and the proposed approach


























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RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987


APPENDIX A - FUNDING

This appendix provides the details for the budgetary estimates
Table 1.



Gateways will be required between the various agency (and
regional) networks. As an upper bound, assume one IRI gateway
state times $40K per gateway, spread out over two years, for
capital cost of $1M per year for first two years

Operation

The IRI operations center will have to engineer the location
capacity of the gateways, as well as install, operate and
them. It also will need to coordinate support and maintenance
end-to-end service, helping to identify and correct problems in
interconnections. Costs are estimated as two people round the
to man the operations center and three full time people
coordinate, operate, and engineer the IRI. Using an estimate
$120K (including other direct costs (ODC)) per year for an
and $200K per year for other activities, and translating 2
round the clock into 9 people results in a total annual cost
$1.7M. In addition, equipment costs of roughly $500K per year can
expected

Transit

It is expected that support of at least one transit network will
necessary. This may involve reimbursement to one of the agencies
use of their network, or may involve operations and maintenance
an IRI dedicated network. An estimate for these costs, based
historical data for operating the Arpanet, is $4M per year

User Support

To provide effective support as discussed above will require a
available during working hours. A reasonable estimate for the
of such an organization is 5 people times $200K per year, or $1M
year (including ODC). In addition, there will be capital
costs in the first two years totalling roughly $2M









Leiner [Page 22]

RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987




1. FCCSET Committee on Very High Performance Computing
Working Group, Report on Interagency Networking for
Programs, February 1986.

2. Cerf, V.G. and P. Kirstein, "Issues in packet-
interconnection," Proceedings of the IEEE, pp. 1386-1408,
November 1978

3. Cerf, V.G. and E. Cain, "The Dod intenet architecture model
"Computer Networks, pp. 307-318, July 1983.

4. Leiner, B.M., J. Postel, R. Cole, and D. Mills, "The
internet protocol suite," IEEE communications
March 1985.

5. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, A History of
Arpanet: The First Decade, Defense Advanced Research
Agency, April 1981. (Defense Tech. Info. Center AD A1 15440)

6. Jacobs, I.M. et. al., "General purpose satellite networks,"
Proceedings of the IEEE pp. 1448-1467, November 1978

7. Tobagi, F., R. Binder, and B.M. Leiner, "Packet radio
satellite networks," IEEE Communications Magazine,
1984.

8. Kahn, R.E. et. al., "Advances in packet radio technology,"
Proceedings of the IEEE pp. 1468-1496,

9. Clark, D. et. al., "An introduction to local
networks,", Proceedings of the IEEE, November 1978

10. Lederberg, J., "Digital communications and the
of science: the new literacy," vol. 66, pp. 1314-1319,
November 1978.

11. Hoskins, J.C. and J.S. Quaterman, "Notable
Networks,", pp. 932-971, October 1986.

12. Dennings, P.J., A.C. Hearn, and C.W. Kern, "History
overview of CSNET," pp. 138-145, March 1983.

13. Comer, D., "The computer science research
CSNET: A history and status report", vol. 26, pp. 747-753,
October 1983.




Leiner [Page 23]

RFC 1015 IRI Plan July 1987


14. Bailey, R.R. NAS: supercomputing master tool
aeronautics Aerospace America, pp. 118-121, January 1985

15. Jennings, D.M., L.H. Landweber, I.H. Fuchs, W.R.
"Computer Networking for Scientist Science" vol. 231
pp. 943-950, February 1986

16. Cerf, V.G. R.E. Kahn, "A protocol for packet
intercommunication, IEEE Transactions on
vol. COM-22, May 1974

17. Zimmerman, H. "OSI reference model - the ISO model
architecture for open systems intercommunications,
Transactions on Communications vol. COM-28 pp. 425-432
April 1980

18. Defense Communications Agency, MIL STD 1777:
Protocol, 1983

19. Defense Communications Agency, MIL STD 1778:
Control Protocol Defense Communications Agency, 1983

20. Defense Communications Agency, MIL STD 1780: File