Network Working Group A. Shoshani
Request for Comments: 144 SDC
NIC: 6729 30 April 1971
Data Sharing on Computer Networks
The enclosed is an introductory paper for the meeting which will be
held in Atlantic City as part of the ARPA Network meetings. The
schedule for the meeting will be published soon by Steve Crocker.
The Agenda of the meeting will include:
a. Presentation of the introductory paper.
b. Open discussion to exchange comments and ideas.
c. Attempt some recommendations.
d. Possibly set up a committee of interested people.
If you have interest in the subject please plan to attend.
INTRODUCTION
One of the benefits expected from the use of Computer Networks is the
sharing of data among users of the system. This paper is an attempt
to classify the issues involved, discuss some approaches that might
be taken to achieve the goal of facilitating data sharing and to
point out some advantages and disadvantages of these approaches.
CONSIDERATIONS
In the process of selecting an approach one has to consider the
following issues:
1. Does the approach provide the use of one language to access all
data on the network?
2. Does the approach facilitate sharing of existing data created
and manipulated by existing data management systems?
3. Does the approach encourage users to share data and use the
facility provided? How evolutionary is the approach?
4. Could a failure of one node in the network cause the failure of
the data sharing facility?
5. Does the approach promote or hinder further development of data
management systems?
Shoshani