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n-1-1-014.90.2
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014.90.2 South Africa
by Mike Lawrie <ccml@hippo.ru.ac.za>
A dedicated line has at last been installed between Rhodes Univeristy in
Grahamstown, and RAINet at Randy Bush in Portland OR. This line runs tcp/ip
protocols, and it is now possible to access computers on the Uninet-za research
network. Similarly, access to the Internet is at long last possible. Activities
at present are concentrating on the final phase of cutting over the local
Domain Name Service in order to integrate into the Internet's root servers.
This network is a project of the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) in
South Africa.
The line operates at 9600 baud, and uses KA9Q on PCs at each end. Modems are
Penrils, running at 14.4 Kbd. RAINet links via Alternet to the Internet. It was
clear from before the line was ordered that it would overload, and plans were
laid to replace it with a 56 Kbd link, in all likelihood in March 92. Currently
Uninet-za enjoys some generous temporary concessions from Alternet and NSFNet.
Plans are in hand to upgrade the internal Uninet-za trunks to operate at 64 Kbd
on digital circuits. Choice of routers is being debated - there are serious
financial problems regarding the prices of routers if bought from the South
African agents, and this is now the stumbling block. With high-speed routers,
the existing 7500 kilometers of Uninet-za trunks can be reduced to about 4500
kilometers, with resultant savings and a greatly improved resilience.
There are currently 12-odd University and research sites connected via tcp/ip,
with a further three with immediate plans to connect. Internetting is done
using multiplexors on the digital links to give virtual circuits of 9600 or
19200 bd between sites, and PC Route for routers.
Apart from the tcp/ip sites, there are several mail-only sites, within South
Africa and in the region. Namibia has found a second uucp user, a link to three
uucp systems has been installed to the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, and a
Fidonet channel to the University of Zambia is undergoing tests. The ZImbabwean
Mango Fidonet site has established reliable email links to the Uninet-za
network as well, and uses the Uninet-za gateway to the USA.
There is every likelihood of links being established in the near future to
Lesotho and to Mozambique. Due to the costs of dedicated circuits, IP
connectivity will not be available initially.
Several South African commercial sites are interested in connectivity to the
Internet. Current Telkom regulations make this very difficult. The SANET uucp
network continues to be very active - this is the home of some highly competent
commercially-based netters.
Director Computing Services, Rhodes University, South Africa (Rhodes University
condemns racism and racial segregation and strives to maintain a strong
tradition of non-discrimination with regard to race and gender in the
constitution of its student body, in the selection and promotion of its staff
and in its administration.)