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From: torben@FORALIE.ICS.HAWAII.EDU (Torben Nielsen)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Clarification......
Message-ID: <90Jun9.210104hst.2211@foralie.ics.Hawaii.Edu>
Date: 10 Jun 90 07:01:00 GMT
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In response to some of Mr. Sung's comments, I recently made the following
statement:

>Actually, the Australian network (AARN) is about the
>most impressive accomplishment in IP network construction I can think of.
>They connected just about all the universities in the country in one fell
>swoop; the whole thing was planned and executed very nicely.

Several people have pointed out that I'm not being nice to the NSFNet by 
saying such things :-) Well, I had no intention of saying that the
construction of NSFNet was somehow inferior.

However, irrespective of it's size, the AARN is a true national academic
network and they have more than just a few nodes on it. Moreover, it was
established with what appeared to be a minimum of fuss and bother. The primary
protocol is IP. Not because it's viewed as inherently better, but because
it's available and works *now*.

When we have a true national network that reaches all universities in the
country, I'll revise my statement. Waiting for the NREN :-)

As an aside, it's truly interesting to watch how national networks are
built/develop/grow. So far, I can see at least three major types of
scenarios.... No doubt ther're a lot more.

						Torben