RFC 1306 (rfc1306) - Page 1 of 10
Experiences Supporting By-Request Circuit-Switched T3 Networks
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group A. Nicholson
Request for Comments: 1306 J. Young
Cray Research, Inc.
March 1992
Experiences Supporting By-Request Circuit-Switched T3 Networks
Status of this Memo
This RFC provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo is
unlimited.
Abstract
This memo describes the experiences of a project team at Cray
Research, Inc., in implementing support for circuit-switched T3
services. While the issues discussed may not be directly relevant to
the research problems of the Internet, they may be interesting to a
number of researchers and implementers.
Developers at Cray Research, Inc. were presented with an opportunity
to use a circuit-switched T3 network for wide area networking. They
devised an architectural model for using this new resource. This
involves activating the circuit-switched connection when an
application program engages in a bulk data transfer, and releasing
the connection when the transfer is complete.
Three software implementations for this feature have been tested, and
the results documented here. A variety of issues are involved, and
further research is necessary. Network users are beginning to
recognize the value of this service, and are planning to make use of
by-request circuit-switched networks. A standard method of access
will be needed to ensure interoperability among vendors of circuit-
switched network support products.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the T3 project team and other members of the
Networking Group at Cray Research, Inc., for their efforts: Wayne
Roiger, Gary Klesk, Joe Golio, John Renwick, Dave Borman and Craig
Alesso.
Nicholson & Young