Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!ncis.tis.llnl.gov!NRTC.NORTHROP.COM!Stef
From: Stef@NRTC.NORTHROP.COM (Einar Stefferud)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.iso.x400.gateway
Subject: Re: an apology to Steve, and more discussion ...
Message-ID: <4336.616974740@nma.com>
Date: 20 Jul 89 21:52:20 GMT
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The NSFnet Regionals offer membersips to all, but they offer services
only to their members.  Thus, we don't see the Internet competing with
the commercial carrier directly, but offering PRMD services to its
"members".  

I realize that these distintions tend to be somewhat tenuous and
fragile, but none-the-less, if I had to decide which role the Internet
plays, with no direct charging scheme for traffic among its members, and
comparing that with ATTMAIL, MCIMAIL, TELEMAIL, DIALCOM, et al, I
conclude that the Internet is not an ADMD.  

The next question arises on whether the ADMD's per se will deal with the
INTERNET as an equal.  I expect not.  The ITNERNET has not participated
in the IAOG negotiaons for inter-carrier settlements, and is not
involved in any way in the Aerospace Industray Association negotiations
with the US ADMDs regarding ADMD interconnection, etc, et al.  

I just don't see any way for the Internet to assume a role as an ADMD.

For example, who would speak for it in the above mentioned negotiations?

No, it actually simplifies lots of issues if we just relax and accept
tha the Internet is actually operating as a PRMD, with some negotiated
cnnectins with various ADMDs, including UUNET.  ATTMAIL has connections,
but has not negotiated any kind of an understanding with the Internet.
Actually they have been seriously trrying to break all the links for the
last 3 years.  Very nearly succeded.  At least they have rendered the
interconnect sufficiently useless as top cause me to remove all ATAMIL
addresses from any of my mailing lists.  Too much failed mail!  

The way things look in the US, the big six (COM, GOV, EDU, MIL, ...)
will probably each go theeir own way as logical PRMDs, though inside the
Internet they will continue to be mostly fully connected IP sites, with
some RELAY connections like UUNET, CSNET and BITNET, et al.  I see a
logical PRMD being a agency that administers the name space and routing
tables to rpovide information to others for how to reach it, and its
"members".  

Best...\Stef