Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!sunic!nuug!ifi!enag From: enag@ifi.uio.no (Erik Naggum) Newsgroups: comp.protocols.iso Subject: Re: Current Internation DNIC list? Message-ID: Date: 27 Aug 90 21:22:09 GMT References: <331@public.BTR.COM> <9008271234.AA23513@gateway.mitre.org> Sender: enag@ifi.uio.no (Erik Naggum) Organization: Naggum Software, Oslo, Norway Lines: 31 Nntp-Posting-Host: svarte.ifi.uio.no In-Reply-To: barns@GATEWAY.MITRE.ORG's message of 27 Aug 90 12:34:29 GMT Originator: enag@svarte.ifi.uio.no Bill, Thanks for the brief overview of the update process. However, it should be noted that ISO 3166 doesn't specify a "Data Country Code" set, but rather two- and three-character country abbreviations (for a somewhat interesting concept of "country"), as well as a three-digit numeric code for a wide range of uses. The CCITT codes are assigned in Zones, which, hopefully for some reason other than bureaucratic fumbling, is totally different from the Zones defined for ISDN (telephone) numbers. Anyhow, it makes sense to have Zones for their purposes (routing), while, as you are probably aware, the ISO 3166 codes are assigned in order of the alphabetically sorted list of country names in French at the time ISO 3166 was first conceived, with suitably large gaps for "future use". I believe the four-digit DNICs were designed to make it easier to parse an X.121 address, but it's getting pretty damn crowded in some places with their escape codes and maximum of 15 digits. Also, the DCC for USA is not 310, but any of 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315 and 316, and the ranges 317-319 and 320-329 are unassigned, clearly available should the need occur. The one-digit network code is not exactly sufficient for countries with RPOAs instead of PTTs. BTW, ISO 3166 A3 is supposedly leaving us soon. -- [Erik Naggum] Naggum Software; Gaustadalleen 21; N-0371 OSLO; NORWAY I disclaim, , therefore I post. +47-295-8622, +47-256-7822, (fax) +47-260-4427