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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!floyd!clyde!akgua!emory!gatech!skip
From: skip@gatech.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.lan
Subject: Re: Xerox NS or Courier for UNIX?
Message-ID: <1897@gatech.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 6-Nov-83 12:56:33 EST
Article-I.D.: gatech.1897
Posted: Sun Nov  6 12:56:33 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 8-Nov-83 03:22:07 EST
References: <1668@fortune.UUCP>, <478@cbosgd.UUCP>
Organization: Georgia Tech School of ICS, Atlanta
Lines: 23

The CCITT standard X.25 is not for use within a network, but as an interface
between a packet switched network and devices wishing to attach to it, such
as host, terminal concentrators, etc.

The TCP/IP protocol (which I know the least about, so if I make a mistake,
please forgive me) is formulated by the National Bureau of Standards and is
blessed by the Defense Department.  I'm not sure if it covers all the layers
of the ISO model.  Because of the DoD blessings, many companies are at least
implementing gateways to TCP/IP.

The Xerox Network Systems protocol (XNS) is being adopted by a plethora of
companies who aim to be compatible with each other on an Ethernet-based
cable and access scheme.  The XNS protocols include as part of them the
Courier protocol which covers two (I think -- I've got the documents back
at the office) of the seven layers.  I think it covers the Network and
Transport layers (3 & 4).  All layers have been published except for the
necessary routines to access the Xerox laser printers.

Of course, there are many other proprietary protocols listed which serve
various purposes...

-- skip addison {akgua,allegra,rlgvax,emory}!gatech!skip