Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!SEARN!ERIC
From: ERIC@SEARN.BITNET (Eric Thomas)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.nodmgt-l
Subject: Re: Pathalias, Genroutes, and topologies...
Message-ID: <NODMGT-L%90021221364003@FINHUTC>
Date: 12 Feb 90 19:15:41 GMT
Sender: Node Management Discussion <NODMGT-L@BITNIC>
Reply-To: Node Management Discussion <NODMGT-L@BITNIC>
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Approved: NETNEWS@PSUVM Gateway
In-Reply-To:  Your message of Mon, 12 Feb 90 10:53:30 EST

Michael, I think what Valdis meant is this: if a new algorithm is used to
determine how files  are routed and this does not  match the one LISTSERV
is using, then  fine, LISTSERV should be changed (the  problem might be a
bit more  complex given the  LISTEARN/LISTSERV duality, but  let's forget
this for now). However, if everybody is using a different tool, resulting
in a topology that CANNOT be  determined by LISTSERV using ANY algorithm,
because it depends on  how this or that NAD felt on  the morning where he
read the description of the new GR or of pathalias, then we are basically
stuck.

Another important  point is  that, as  soon as  we start  having multiple
connections  between BITNET  and  EARN  (and I  think  that  is a  highly
desirable  goal -  I'm confident  it  will happen  anyway, for  political
reasons if  not just to improve  the connectivity), even if  CREN were to
decide that  pathalias is  to be used  for CREN routing,  it will  not be
enough. EARN  will also have  to use the same  software, at least  on the
nodes  with BITNET  connections,  or  we run  the  risk  of getting  some
interesting loops. And EARN might well have formulated a directive saying
that GR is an EARN standard and everybody should use it, so we might have
a  very interesting  situation  to  sort out.  Why  wouldn't EARN  accept
pathalias? Well,  EARN is paying  money for the  development of GR  and I
doubt that the politicians can act in a way that might suggest this money
has been, basically, wasted on something completely useless.

And, pf course,  GR is not suitable  for the kind of topology  we have in
BITNET-2... Anybody got an  idea how the can of worms  I have just opened
can be closed?

  Eric