RFC 1017 (rfc1017) - Page 1 of 19
Network requirements for scientific research: Internet task force on scientific computing
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group Barry M. Leiner
Request for Comments: 1017 RIACS
August 1987
Network Requirements for Scientific Research
Internet Task Force on Scientific Computing
STATUS OF THIS MEMO
This RFC identifies the requirements on communication networks for
supporting scientific research. It proposes some specific areas for
near term work, as well as some long term goals. This is an "idea"
paper and discussion is strongly encouraged. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
INTRODUCTION
Computer networks are critical to scientific research. They are
currently being used by portions of the scientific community to
support access to remote resources (such as supercomputers and data
at collaborator's sites) and collaborative work through such
facilities as electronic mail and shared databases. There is
considerable movement in the direction of providing these
capabilities to the broad scientific community in a unified manner,
as evidence by this workshop. In the future, these capabilities will
even be required in space, as the Space Station becomes a reality as
a scientific research resource.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the range of requirements
for networks that are to support scientific research. These
requirements include the basic connectivity provided by the links and
switches of the network through the basic network functions to the
user services that need to be provided to allow effective use of the
interconnected network. The paper has four sections. The first
section discusses the functions a user requires of a network. The
second section discusses the requirements for the underlying link and
node infrastructure while the third proposes a set of specifications
to achieve the functions on an end-to-end basis. The fourth section
discusses a number of network-oriented user services that are needed
in addition to the network itself. In each section, the discussion
is broken into two categories. The first addresses near term
requirements: those capabilities and functions that are needed today
and for which technology is available to perform the function. The
second category concerns long term goals: those capabilities for
which additional research is needed.
This RFC was produced by the IAB Task force a Scientific Computing,
Leiner