NEARnet- New England Academic and Research Network _A_d_d_r_e_s_s: NEARnet Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. 10 Moulton St., Mail Stop 6/3B Cambridge, MA 02138 _E_m_a_i_l: nearnet-staff@nic.near.net _P_h_o_n_e: (617) 873-8730 [NEARnet hotline] FAX: (617) 873-5620 _D_e_s_c_r_i_p_t_i_o_n NEARnet, the New England Academic and Research Network, is a regional high speed data communications network. NEARnet was founded in 1988 by Boston University, Harvard Univer- sity, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to meet a growing need for fast, reliable information exchange. It is linked to other regional and national networks to create a national infrastructure for electronic information. NEARnet is a cooperative project which continues to grow very rapidly. As of October 1992, NEARnet has grown to 174 member organizations. These members include New England's finest universities, colleges, technology-based industries, government and private agencies. Since its inception in 1988, NEARnet's management and operations has been con- tracted to Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. Utilizing the Internet TCP/IP protocol suite, NEARnet sup- ports leased-line and microwave links at speeds from 19.2 Kb/s to 10 Mb/s. Dialup IP access is also supported using SLIP starting at 9.6 Kb/s. In addition to technical sup- port, consulting, and user information services, the NEARnet staff maintains a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week network opera- tions center. _________________________ The information in this section is provided in accor- dance with the copyright notice appearing at the front of this guide. October 30, 1992 NNSC Section 5.8, Page 1 _N_e_t_w_o_r_k _A_c_c_e_s_s Any IP host on the Internet may access NEARnet sites. _W_h_o _C_a_n _U_s_e _t_h_e _N_e_t_w_o_r_k Any NEARnet member may exchange traffic with any other member for purposes that are consonant with the NEARnet Acceptable Use Policy. In cases where data communications are carried across other networks, NEARnet members are advised to adhere to the acceptable use policies of these networks. Commercial routing is offered through a coopera- tive agreement with the CIX and ANS CO+RE Services. _M_i_s_c_e_l_l_a_n_e_o_u_s Online information is available via anonymous FTP at nic.near.net. The NEARnet Staff publishes a monthly online bulletin and a hardcopy quarterly newsletter. NEARnet also offers a series of Technical and User Services Seminars for its members and the Internet community. October 30, 1992 NNSC Section 5.8, Page 2