[1964] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Understanding COMBITs
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jordan Becker)
Mon Jan 13 19:03:06 1992
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 92 18:58:52 EST
From: Jordan Becker <becker@ans.net>
To: wright@hsi.com
Cc: com-priv@psi.com
> In the message "Understanding Combits", on Jan 6 Jordan Becker writes:
> > A COMBIT is a directionless unit of measure that quantifies the flow of
> > traffic between two unique network numbers. COMBITs are collected at a
> > gateway between two service providers and may be defined as:
> >
> > COMBITs = [packets_in + packets_out]*300 + [bytes_in + bytes_out]
>
> Correct me if I am wrong (I'm sure someone will) but this measurement
> implies that unsolicited traffic sent to a "commercial" network will generate
> a charge from ANS to the intermediate network.
Gary - let me clarify this. Most people go astray with this model as soon as
they start thinking of "traffic" as being commercial or non-commercial, or
worrying about the direction in which it flows. In this model, subscribers
(based upon a subscriber network number) are self-classified as commercial or
non-commercial (RE). Traffic flows between subscribers are always assumed to
be bi-directional.
You are correct in presuming that ANS will assess a charge to the intermediate
network that hosts a commercially classified subscriber(s). The charge will
be based upon the size of the pipe, and the total percentage of CO and RE
COMBITs (which are directionless) generated by the intermediate network. If
100% of the subscribers hosted by the intermediate network are classified as
CO, then they will pay a flat predictable rate. If 100% of their subscribers
are classified as RE, then they will pay a lower predictable flat rate
(nothing in the case of an NSF sponsored midlevel network). If the percentage
is 50% CO and 50% RE, then the charge will be the base charge for the
connection plus 1/2 of the difference between the 100% commercial flat rate
and RE flat rate. This methodology was developed in cooperation with several
network service providers and will evolve as we learn more.
> I am assuming that such a intermediate network (a mid-level) will charge
> back their commercial customers an amount at least equivalent to the
> amount that ANS charges to the intermediate network.
> So if I declare my network as commercial, then I have to pay for people
> to send me email, forward news to me, anonymous ftp, finger, etc.
> whether I have asked for their traffic or not. I don't suppose I'll get a
> "net bill" as detailed as the somewhat analogous phone bill in order to
> verify I'm getting charged appropriately. I wouldn't want to
> audit such a document.
This is between you and your service provider, however I suspect that most
service providers will charge you a flat rate surcharge that recovers the
average incremental cost that they bear as a result of your commercial
classification above and beyond the flat rate that they would otherwise charge
you if you were classified as RE.
> Also, assuming that I declare my network "commercial", doesn't that imply
> that all my traffic is commercial? i.e It is all nothing as as far
> as COMBITS go?
Again, traffic is not commercial, subscribers are classified as commercial or
non-commercial. The COMBITs they generate are assessed to the two
intermediate service providers that host them, and may be classified as CO or
RE differently according the classification of each subscriber. Therefore the
COMBIT measurements could be meaningful to midlevels that host a mix of RE and
CO-classified subscribers, but they may not be very meaningful to the service
subscribers.
> Would I have to create a second network on which my users
> could generate and consume AUBITS (Acceptable Use bits)?
You can establish two unique subscriber network numbers if you choose, one
that is classified as CO, and one the is classified as RE.
> And finally, why would I prefer this measured service over a fixed rate
> service?
> ----
> Gary Wright ...!uunet!hsi!wright
> 3M Health Information Systems wright@hsi.com
It is between you and your intermediate network service provider to determine
whether to have a fixed rate service or variable rate service. I personally
see no reason that your service provider must charge you on a usage basis.
Jordan
