Connectivity Providers Database

From: sghuter@psg.com (Steven Huter) To: randy@psg.com Date: Fri, 16 Dec 94 11:22 PST THE VIRTUAL COMPUTER NETWORK PROJECT INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: POLISH INFOTERRA NFP (by Bronislawa Gronkowska) In July of this year, a technical proposal for a virtual computer network at the Polish Institute of Environmental Protection (IEP) was developed at the Warsaw University Computer Centre. The time for establishing the institution-oriented network has been very well chosen for the following reasons: I. Since 1990, Poland has taken an active part in the development of academic and research computer networks in Europe (EARN, Internet). It is estimated that NASK, the acronym for the Polish Academic & Research Network, provides services for more than 40 thousand users. The NASK is a member of CEENet, the Central and Eastern European Network, together with Austria, Slovakia, Byelorussia, Ukraine, Russia and other countries. Warsaw, like Vienna, is a focal point for a regional communication backbone. II. The telecommunication structure in Poland can support connections with two major international communication standards: X.25 and Internet Protocol (IP). The capacity of domestic inter-city lines ranges from 64 Kbps to 2 Mbps. The metropolitan area networks (MAN) already run in the major cities (Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Crakow). III. In the countries of Western and Eastern Europe, the role of information, particularly environmental information, has risen considerably in importance. Information has become a product, a factor necessary for many activities. IV. Increasing awareness of Poland's possible integration into the European Union in the future requires an expanded knowledge base and implementation of European Union legislation, compliance with European standards, continuous monitoring, joint research programmes, and mutual environmental data exchange. V. It is foreseen that the demand for environmental expertise will increase both in industry and the economy. Poland's educational and prevention policies will require data and information about the state of the environment and factors threatening it. The Development of an Institutional Oriented Computer Network Will Address Several Basic Needs: The Institute consists of a number of divisions located in different areas of the country. The best technical solution for communication among the divisions will be local area networks (LAN), connected to a wide area network (WAN). The various fields of research at the Institute of Environmental Protection (i.e. climate, Baltic area, water resources, wastewater utilization, noise, soil, etc.) are mostly documented through scientific reports, papers, databases, inventories, and bulletin boards. LAN and WAN connections enhance rapid access to these non-centralized data sources. A number of the Institute's departments take part in international programmes and organizations. Electronic mail (E-mail) capabilities allow personnel to participate more freely in these activities. Some departments need direct access to national and international libraries, and United Nations, European Union and commercial databases. Many of these resources are available through X.25 and IP. Many departments cooperate in transmitting data directly to the State Environmental Pollution Inspectorate and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry. The proposed network will increase the efficiency of these transmissions. Some departments undertake measurements and analytical services (mainly for industry and state administration). Network infrastructure develop- ment, in the long-term, will increase the frequency of this work. The Institute's Department of Information serves as the National Focal Point for UNEP's Infoterra Information Services Network. Expanded X.25 and IP services will assist both the Polish NFP and the Infoterra Network in disseminating environmental information. The establishment of an internet domain server, preferably a World Wide Web (WWW) server, is planned as a next step. The new network will promote and increase the distribution of environmental knowledge and information, and support the Institute of Environmental Protection in its activities as the Polish Infoterra National Focal Point.