RFC 504 (rfc504) - Page 2 of 5

Distributed resources workshop announcement

RFC 504                  Workshop Announcement                April 1973


2.  To identify resources at various network sites appropriate for
    automated sharing; and to identify the need for resources which
    don't but should exist.

3.  To formulate a series of experiments for the purpose of evaluating
    relative merits and disadvantages of different approaches to
    automating resource sharing.
    The intent of such experimentation is to gain experience through
    construction and use of prototype systems which support automated
    sharing.

Format of Workshop:
------------------

Morning:

In order to get the workshop "up to speed", each participant will be
expected to give a brief presentation of relevant work he (his site) is
currently engaged in, is planning to do, or to identify and discuss
issues he feels are relevant to the subject.  Time will be allowed for
brief discussion after each presentation.

Afternoon:

General discussion of the issues raised during the morning session.
Possible subjects for discussion include (but need not be limited to):

1.  Identification of possible multi-site "services".
    Intersite mail, terminal linking, status information are some
    examples - what are others?

2.  Identification of resources appropriate for remote utilization.
    File systems, compilers, on-line query systems, manuscript
    preparation systems are some examples - what are others?

3.  Access to remote resources.
    Possibility of access paths other than the standard logger port.  To
    what extent (if at all) can the access paths to a variety of
    different resources be standardized?  How can resources which may
    move from Host to Host or may be available on several Hosts be
    dynamically located and selected for use?  The need for
    (desirability of) a "broadcast ICP".

4.  Problems of accounting for resource utilization.
    Some form of network wide accounting would be a great convenience.
    For example, it would be nice if a user could use the same account
    at many (all?) sites.  What are the problems (if any) preventing
    this?



Thomas