AprillMay 1997 The Computing Center University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon 97403 Vol. 12 #5 Innovative NSRC Team Helvs Make Global ~etkorksa Reality Until late 1991, Peru had no computer The express purpose of the NSRC is to links to the outside world. Today, not only disseminate the information, technical training, does Peru have hundreds of institutions with and tools necessary to create and maintain thousands of users communicating via satellite networks in developing countries. The link to the Internet, but network communi- organization doesn't seek out clients. Rather, it cation is making a vital contribution to that responds to requests for information and country's scientific advances. technical help, lending its expertise on This is but one of dozens of such stories of everything from how to establish a TI dramatic networking progress in the connection or solve a router problem, to how to developing world. How did such rapid change use accounting tools or negotiate the best deal come about? A major catalyst in these for Internet connectivity with international networking developments is a modest, low- circuit providers. key organization known as the Network The NSRC's style is to transfer technology Starmp Resource Center (NSRC), now head- and empower, not run or manage, network quartered at the University of Oregon. connectivity in nations which request its Originally an all-volunteer effort by veteran assistance. A significant portion of its work network engineers Randy Bush and John involves planning, organizing, and teaching Klensin to help developing countries establish network workshops that introduce in-country their own computer networks, the NSRC has networkers to low-end, but scalable, technology. become slightly more formalized since The emphasis is on enabling local networks to receiving its first National Science Foundation become independent and self-sustaining. While grant in 1992. While low cost and pro bono getting things up and running, the NSRC either assistance is still a priority, the NSRC now has provides, or arranges for, low-end connectivity two successive National Science Foundation until the embryonic network is ready to get on grants under its belt and a small staff of salaried the air through more official channels. professionals. Under the auspices of University To date, the NSRC has contributed signif- Computing, and with funding hma new grant, icantly to the creation of national or regional the NSRC is currently collaborating with the networks in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the University's Advanced Network Technology Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and Center (ANTC) staff to make affordable net- several former Soviet states, as well as some working technology available around the globe. start-up K-12 (kmdergarten through grade 12) continued on page 2 semarnes Are Forever.. .(Almost) If you have a timesharing Or 2. Account usernames are now permanent, and with the Computing Center, some recent changes be changed only in the event of a legal in computing account policies may affect you. If change, stalking, or harassment, for any reason you're planning to cancel a UO computing account, or have considered changing your account usemame, please note the following: Questions? 1. To cancel an account, vou'll now need to come If you have any questions or concerns about in person to Room 107-or 108 between Sam and the new policies, please call 346-1738, or send an 5pm MondaythmughFriday. Bring yourphom ID. e-mail message to connie@ongo~uoregonedu Vnl. 12 #5 WRC Team, continued ... networks in the United States. International connectivity is now a reality Students: in Belize, Kenya, Guatemala, and Cambodia, and the NSRC is providing advice and technical assistance to emerging networks in such diverse countries as Angola, Cameroon, Comoros, Haiti. Morocco, Uganda, and Malawi.. .to name but a few. Not only has the NSRC accomplished a lot in an astonishinaly short period of time, it h& done so with unprecedented economy. One of tc&e most impressed by the group's thrift is Dr. Steven Goldstein, Program Director of Inter- national Networking with NSF's Networking and communications Research Divi- sion, who states, "From its inception in 1992, the Network Startup Resource Center has been among NSF's wisest investments in supporting Internet infrastructure development. Starting with its initial founders, Randy Bush and John Klensin, who donated most of their services pro bono, and continuing through today with the staff augmentation at the University of Oregon, NSRC has done amazing things to spread the Internet around the world on the shoestring resources of the NSF award." How do they do it? - By emphasizing local control and local maintenance. Local engineers are If you're a student interested in trained to maintain the networks so that connections become permanent. uo the computer networking field, here's an Development and deployment are in local bands, using local expertise, opportunity to gain some experience and primarily at local expense. skills while contributing to the - By maintaining a lean, non-bureaucratic structure: when not on the road enhancement of the global Internet giving training workshops, Randy Bush often works from his home network infrastructure: the Network Startup operations center on Bainbridge Island, Washington, while UO project Resource Center (see article "Innovative leader Steve Huter fields network questions from his office at the UO NSRC Team ..." on pp. 1-2 of this issue), Computing Center and his home in Eugene. partially supported by the National - By tapping the pro bono expertise of leading-edge professionals, like the UO's Science Foundation, is currently seeking Dave Meyer (director of the ANTC) and Dale Smith (director of Network students with initiative to assist with Services), as well as network engineers and coworkers throughout the world. applied research, education, and service projects. General skills and qualifications - By archiving information about international networking infrastructure and include one or more of the following: connectivity providers in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Oceania, and making data freely available on the applied knowledge of Internet World Wide Web (see http://www.nsrc.orgf) infrashucture and terminology - By enlisting the talents of UO students, who can go on to further the work of international network connectivity after graduation working knowledge of UNIX systems and knowledge about the As worldwide networks proliferate, geographic boundaries dissolve. With administration of TCP/IF' networks increased network access, scientists all over the world can communicate with each desirable other, sharing information and insights in record time and participating in international collaborative projects. The NSRC team are among the pioneers paving . writing ability (technical writing the way to a new millennium of worldwide communication and scientific exchange. and jo,urnalistic writing skills equally desirable) For more information about student networking opportunities with the NSRC, contact Randy Bush ([email protected]), Steve Huter ([email protected]), or Dave Meyer ([email protected]). If vou're thinking- of buying. - a new Mac, be aware that the Performa 640016360 series computers are not very compatible with the UO networking environment. For details, see AuriVMav 1997 Vnl. 12 #S Beginning May 1, University Com- you can request more storage space by Another consideration: messages deleted puting will be more strictly enforcing disk contacting Connie French in Room 107 from Eudorn may not get deleted from the quotas on the VMScluster due to recently Computing Center (e-mail: server. Many Eudorn users who've checked recurring disk space crunches. This means [email protected]; phone: "+Leave on server.. ." in their Special menu that O~ON,~NAU), and DAISY account- 346-1738). settings may have years of accumulated mail holders who are over quota won't be able stored on the server without realizing it To to create new files or receive new mail Do You Use Eudora or Pine? resolve this problem, review the online until they free up some space. Of major instructions for deleting obsolete e-mail concern to most users who've exceeded Eudom Users. If you use Eudora to messages, as outlined above, and follow the their allotted disk space is that they will be read your e-mail, we urge you to make pnxdures desnibed sure you're running the latest version of unable to receive new e-mail messages Pine Users Those who use Pine on the program With some mail server re- until their quota problem is resolved. VMS may not realize that, once read, configurations scheduled to take place on their e-mail messages are automatically VMS in the near future, earlier versions transferred to a folder called MAIL. The How Do You Know if of Eudora may not continue to operate messages stay in the MAIL folder until properly. The latest version (v.3~)may You're Out of Disk Space? they're deleted. be copied at no charge from the public When you exceed your quota, you'll receive an e-mail warning that begins domain file servers, CC Public Domain (Mac version) and Public (TC version), Still Have Questions? IMPORTANT NOTICE:~du are over Or from h@://www.eudom& If, after following all the trouble- quota on the VMScluster... shooting suggestions, you still have followed by detailed insttuctions for re- questions or problems getting back covering disk space. under quota, contact a VMS consultant at 346-1758. What Can You Do to Resolve the Problem? If you're over quota, you'll need to delete some accumulated obsolete e-mail messages and/or files to recover disk s the Answer space. (Since the text of the system warning message provides detailed suggestions for resolving quota proh- M~ giving you PC on machines, and can offer advice regarding lems, we have not reproduced them the blink? Need to add more memory as as =pairs.