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This Intlnet
presentation was rediscovered in 2003. It probably dates from
August 1983, when the SIAT added "Intlnet" to its name
and had a support understanding with new operators.
THE INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT
International Datacommunications Services started in 1977, by
connecting the six US International Record Carriers (FTCC, IT&T,
RCA, MCI, TRT Telecommunications Corp., and Western Union International)
to the US value-added carriers and local PTT's worldwide.
Tymnet was the initial provider of international connection access
to the US Hosts, using the Tymnet protocol or Asynchronous links.
Foreign operators have known for years the International Datacommunications
Services as the Tymnet Database Service. It used user names and
host names. International interconnections started among PTTs,
between Belgium and the Netherlands to provide joint access to
the European Space Agency (ESA) Tymnet system. Research or governmental
systems interconnected to the international system (Europe: ESA
(77), France: Bull (78); USA: Arpanet (84)).
From 1976, the X.25 data communications protocol started to be
defined at the Consultative Committee for International Telephone
and Telegraph (CCITT) by engineers from all over the world. It
benefited from the experience of Tymnet and Telenet, the US leading
valued added carriers, of European PTTs (Postal Telephone and
Telegraph Agencies), of KDD in Japan, of the French Transpac
network, and of its German Datex-P counterpart built by Northern
Telecom, and of the French Minitel deployment.
It has now become an internationally recognized data communication
standard. More than 160 countries have now adopted the CCITT's
X.25 Recommendations.
THE INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC SYSTEM
Today, the common (public and private) international network
system still partly uses the Tymnet fast and secure multiplexed
packet virtual circuit switch technology. The Tymnet network
nodes are also intelligent powerful computers able to provide
extended services (credit card validation, common airline language,
OnTyme electronic messaging, network supervision, accounting,
etc.) to end users, corporate and multiorganization closed groups
or open virtual networks.
However, the worldwide datacommunications network progressively
standardizes as a common value-added X.25/X.75 system. Its services
are independent from the country, the operators, and manufacturers.
Tymnet supports the traditional "root-name + host-name +
sub-hostname" format and numeric names, according to the
CCITT X.121 addressing standard. An X.121 address consists of
the Data Network Identifier Code (DNIC) and of the network host
number. Tymnet dual offers support for US domestic rerouting,
out-dial, host groups, etc. even from non-US locations.
These interconnections are mutually charged on an accounting
rate, the local operator deciding on its own collecting rate,
according to the same ITU principles also used for telephone.
In the USA, all of the six IRC's jointly agree on a common accounting
rate and must apply the same tariffs , which are subject to Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) approval.
THE SUPPLIERS
Tymnet is the major supplier of hardware and software for X.25
and X.75 services to the International Record Carriers (IRC's),
and to more than 27 Postal Telephone and Telegraph Agencies (PTT's)
worldwide. In fact, Tymnet technology is employed in over 90
per cent of the world's X.75 gateways.
The other major suppliers are
BBN (Telenet), Nothern Telecom, Steria (Transpac). Some other
companies specialize in private networks to be connected to public
networks via X.25 or Tymnet/Tymnet Gateways (Tymnet technology
systems).
INTERNATIONAL
SUPPORT
International Administrative and Political issues are first discussed
at CCITT Group III. Various regional telecommunications' organizations
such as the European CEPT or Agencies as FCC have extended their
responsibilities into Datacommunications.
The Tymnet technology's user and observer groups (named ISIS
Clubs, from the Tymnet ISIS technology) gather most of the public
and private operators. There are two meetings a year and three
groups: Europe, Asia, and International. Since 1977, all of their
Members members communicate daily for naming, accounting, and
operations issues in using the INTL online messaging system by
Tymnet, built on the Tymnet OnTyme service.
This is why the international network was nicknamed "INTLNET".
Tymnet and other Operators have sponsored the SIAT since 1978,
which is a non-profit structure that is located in Versailles
(France). SIAT is dedicated to providing international users
and users groups an independent focal point to their worldwide
data communications information needs and support, whatever the
PTT/Carrier being accessed or the technology being used. This
"Intlnet" support structure acts as a propositions'
catalyst and allows users to suggest new products and services
development and will soon be able to run inter-technologies testing
(Eurolab, in Saint-Cloud).
TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT
Traffic originates from a terminal or host from one of the U.S.
domestic value added common carriers (Telenet, Tymnet or Uninet),
or from a national monopoly network operator (France: Transpac,
UK: PSS, Germany: Datex-P; Canada: Datapac, etc.) or from a direct
call to a local PTT international "Database Access"
or PAD service.
The traffic is routed to the targeted host on a destination network
through an International Carrier (DTRE in France, IPSS in UK,
KDD in Japan, OTC in Australia, etc. or one of the IRC's and
the USA) either in X.75 or in Tymnet protocol (PAD direct service
may also temporarily use X.25).
To access your host computer from a foreign service, your host
must be connected to a local domestic system. Customers must
first become subscribers to their domestic network to be able
to internationally transmit or receive data.
If it is not, contact a Sales
Representative listed in the INTL File (cf. below) to order a
Host interface. You will also need to know the X.121 address
of the host you plan to access. To obtain the X.121 address of
your host, contact the same Sales Representative. In most cases,
communications charges cannot be billed to the host account,
but must be billed by the service to the user who originated
the call. Exceptions to this are Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada,
and Alaska, which have terms requiring collect calls where Tymnet
and Telenet bill the host account. Alaska allows either collect
payment (charges by Tymnet to the host account), or in turn charges
the end user for traffic through Alascom.
The host connection will usually be in X.25 (sometimes still
in Asynchronous mode). Tymnet and some of the PTTs under Tymnet
technology can provide services in 2780, 3270, Airlines or Banking
protocols and X.PC (an X.25 type protocol over dial-up async).
Tymnet also supports out-dial: it permits one to call a non-connected
host via a modem telephone call from the nearest US Tymnet’s
node.
INTLNET
INFORMATION SYSTEM
To obtain the most up-to-date information on a contact within
a particular country, consult the on-line information service
offered by your operator or start with the attached information.
A directory (INTL File) is compiled and maintained though the
INTL mail system by Tymnet International and SIAT, as a joint
effort with all of the Operators. This is a menu-driven directory
that lists the INTL File information on the countries with International
access, including the list of the database and on-line service
providers.
This directory provides contact information on the different
operators’ sales points. It extends into an International
database with a full description of accesses, speed, protocols,
rates, installation costs, and conditions, addressing schemes,
etc.
You can use this information to reach a country's PTT or public
data network or one of the US domestic carriers to set up an
account.
The Information System is supported in English on Tymnet (enter
INFORMATION as an address followed by return) and copied by most
of the Operators.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Consult this directory to find the countries with international
access, as well as how to set up communications between these
countries. If you have any questions regarding the International
Services, contact an Operator Sales Representative or International
Sales Support at Tymnet Headquarters or at SIAT.
Antigua
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Bermuda
Brazil
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Egypt
Finland
France
French Overseas Territories
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Reunion
Gabon
Gambia
Germany (West)
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Indonesia
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Korea (South)
Kuwait
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Trinidad
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
- Alaska
- Guam
- Puerto Rico
- Virgin Islands |