Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!wupost!dranet!sean
From: sean@dranet.dra.com
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Re: Getting a commercial firm into Internet
Message-ID: <628.25d2f690@dranet.dra.com>
Date: 9 Feb 90 22:57:52 GMT
References: <9002062137.AA14927@cwh.cam.nist.gov>
Organization: Data Research Associates, St. Louis MO
Lines: 103

In article <9002062137.AA14927@cwh.cam.nist.gov>, craig@CWH.CAM.NIST.GOV (Craig Hunt) writes:
> One of our network users, who is doing extensive work with a commercial
> firm, asked how that firm could have access to the Internet. Does
> anyone know who is offering a service to connect commercial users into
> Internet services.  I suggested UUNET and CSNET.  I also thought
> perhaps Merit. Suggestions, contacts, addresses would all be
> appreciated.

I've been trying to get a definitive answer to this question for six months.
Finding the physical connection is easy; finding someone with the authority
to say yes, who will say yes is hard.  A related problem is finding out the
limits for which a commercial firm could use the Internet (the answers vary
from nothing, to anything), and getting it in writing (that's amusing).

Since I'm still looking for the definitive answer, don't take this too
seriously... sometimes I like to take out my frustrations by typing.

Although things are improving, I finally got a response from the NSF NSC
this week.

The physical connection is fairly easy.

    1. Find a network that is already on the Internet
       A few good sources for this information include
         a. Internet Resource Guide
            NSF Network Service Center (nnsc@nnsc.nsf.net)
         b. SERVICE@SRI-NIC.ARPA (SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL)
            Subject: HELP
         c. The Matrix : Computer Networks and Conferencing Systems Worldwide
            John S. Quarterman
            Digital Press, ISBN 1-55558-033-5
            (less than a year old, and already some information is out of date)

    2. Find out a contact person, ask them if they'll let you (goto step 1)
         This is were money comes up.  The general rules are
            If you are asking for a connection to them, you pay
            If they are asking for a connection to you, they pay
            If both parties are asking for a connection, split the
            cost and don't charge each other

    3. Get an IP network address, domain, and other adminstrivia
         a. either from the network you are connecting (eg. you become a
              subnet, or maybe a single host depending on your needs)
         b. or from HOSTMASTER@NIC.DDN.MIL (which will require coordination
              with/from the Internet core gateways)

    4. Order some equipment, put in a phone line, etc

    5. Hook it up, and you're on the Internet (yeah, right....:-)

Ok, you're connected, but are you allowed to connect???

A starting point for most "network policies"

  1.  Acceptability of traffic over a particular network line is determined
      by the entities owning/paying for the line.

  2.  Interference with the use or operation of the network is viewed as
      not acceptable.

  3.  Malicious, unethical (based on accepted community standards), or illegal
      activities are viewed as not acceptable.

Note the Commercial/Non-profit split isn't a universal concept in Internet
policies, though it is a frequent one.  Since no single entity owns the
Internet, determining the exact policies tends to be difficult.  "The Policy"
of the Internet is actually a set of interlocking agreements among several
hundred entities.  And not all of these agreements are in writing.

The Internet is really an inter-network (yep, that's what the books say).
It is tempting to think of the Internet as a homogenous network, but it
isn't.  A group of commercial companies could set up network with a gateway
to the rest of the Internet, and on that network exchange invoices with few,
if any, problems.  What is viewed as the "acceptable use policies," comes
from the principle that who pays calls the shots.  For example, commercial
use of the part of the Internet paid for by NSF isn't allowed, except for
things that NSF says are OK.

In reality the number of networks you actually need to worry about is much
smaller.  Generally you need to only get a line of approval between you
and one of the national backbones (about 2-4 authorizations).

      you<->local connection<->mid-level network<->national backbone

The most likely connection will be through a mid-level network.  Most of
the mid-level networks have connections only within a geographic region, but
a few have connections worldwide.  There are also overlaps between the
mid-level networks.  Shop around for the best combination of price, policy,
and added features (some have 24-hour support, very high bandwidth, or other
special resources).  They can vary greatly.  It is almost like choosing a
long distance telephone company.

There are several long haul IP backbone networks.  Some allow no third party
traffic, while others exists to connect the various mid-level networks.  Also
some mid-level networks have additional connections between themselves besides
the national backbones.  After you choose a mid-level network, they can help
with authorizations for the national backbones.

-- 
Sean Donelan, Data Research Associates, Inc, St. Louis, MO
Domain: sean@dranet.dra.com, Voice: (Work) +1 314-432-1100

  Affiliation given for purposes of identification, not representation