RFC 302 (rfc302) - Page 3 of 3

Exercising The ARPANET

Some Initial Results
--------------------
     The first real encounters with the ARPANET at large produced
a series of questions and comments.  Test group comments are
itemized below with additional comments by the author {In braces}.
We plan subsequent reports on a periodic basis.

     1.  We find that we need further information about access
         to the NCPs at various sites.  User manuals from the
         sites might provide this.  {Site response is solicited}

     2.  We sometimes cannot sign into UCLA-NMC directly from
         UCSB, but can do so readily by way of BBN.  {Protocol?}

     3.  After running a Fortran or PL-1 program at some net
         location we can only display the results on our consoles
         but cannot store them as files.  {UCSB programming need?}

     4.  When communications break down how can a user be
         assured that he is logged out of some remote site?
         {Need for automatic Log-out?}

     5.  How do we make contact with programmers at other sites
         to develop cooperative programs for file transfer, etc?
         {Jim White?}

     6.  Is there a best time of day for operation at each site?
         Should contact be made with the site operator prior to
         user sessions?   {Server sites please comment}

     7.  UCLA-NMC has assigned a separate user identification
         for test group use.  Would other sites prefer to do
         likewise?  {Comments?}

     8.  Is there information regarding uses made of the
         various time shared systems by internal users at each
         site?  Does a bibliography exist to allow contact
         with such users?  {Check the Resource Notebook}

     9.  MIT-DMCG and BBN provide very good user service,
         especially the site survey.  Also these sites have
         good responses to define events.  Can UCSB provide
         local users with similar information?  {Jim White?}

       [ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
       [ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the   ]
       [ direction of Alex McKenzie.                   12/96   ]