[746] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
100 Blooming Backbones etc
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (W H Baumer)
Wed May 29 01:33:49 1991
Date: Wed, 29 May 91 01:28:40 EDT
From: W H Baumer <UCSBILLB@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu>
To: com-priv@uu.psi.com
On 28 May 1991, Sean Donelan wrote:
Restricted money buying services from an unrestricted provider looks
almost like what is down at the lower layers. (Leased lines from
AT&T, MCI, etc. or X.25 from TYMNET, SPRINTNET, etc). NYSERNET does
almost the same thing by buying IP transport from PSI. The key will
be at what level the "NSF dollars" are spent. Too far up (eg.
backbones) and everything is overshadowed by the restrictions.
NYSERNet does not do almost the same thing. PSI does provide the backbone
for NYSERNet's regional network; it also provides all network operations
management services through its network information center, which NYSERNet
does not duplicate. While NYSERNet pays PSI at cost for local loops, PSI
makes all arrangements for these. PSI provides all network equipment and
PoP's. PSI provides all users having accounts with any NYSERNet member or
affiliate its Individual Dialup Services, so that these users can dial in
to any PSI PoP - often a local call - and then telnet to their hosts,
wherever they may be on PSINet. PSI provides technical seminars for staff
of NYSERNet's members and affiliates. PSI provides significant discounts
to NYSERNet members and affiliates for SNMP and other programs. Last but
not least from NYSERNet's standpoint, PSI works with NYSERNet in marketing
the regional network to not for profit organizations in New York State.
NYSERNet, using various grants from NSF and the State of New York, has been
able to assist its not for profit affiliates with the initial costs of
connections to its network and with upgrades. Thus, the patterns of the
current arrangements between NYSERNet and PSI very largely already fulfill
the courses of action Donelan proposes.
NYSERNet members and affiliates and their users have access to the Internet
for all appropriate traffic. They also have access to PSINet for any
commercial traffic. Thus, all members and affiliates of NYSERNet and their
users already have the benefits of both realms. This is not, however, to
be characterized as having one's cake and eating it as well, since having
cake that is not eaten is having stale cake.
Note: WHB is a former officer of NYSERNet and Professor at the University
at Buffalo, but the foregoing comments are his assessment of the relations
between NYSERNet and PSI, and do not constitute an official statement by
NYSERNet or the University at Buffalo.
W H Baumer
UCSBILLB @ UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU
