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From: ccfj (F. Jacot Guillarmod) Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 12:30:25 GMT Information on Southern African Networking 1994/01/13 ------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: this not an "official" document in any sense - it represents what one individual knows about connectivity and networking in the sub-continent. Any omissions or mistakes are due to ignorance, not malice. Please send email to ccfj@hippo.ru.ac.za with comments, additions or corrections. An up to date version of this document is available by anonymous FTP from: ftp://ftp.ru.ac.za/pub/doc/networks as well as: gopher://gopher.ru.ac.za:70/00/Rhodes University/Networking in Southern Africa South African academic and research network ------------------------------------------- Academic and Research networking in South Africa is co-ordinated by the Foundation for Research Development (FRD), who administer a regional TCP/IP network commonly known as "Uninet-ZA". Membership of Uninet-ZA is institutional, and networking costs are recovered by means of an annual subscription. In essence, this means that users (staff and students) do not pay for network access. Uninet-ZA is linked to the Internet by a 64kb digital line that connects Rhodes University in Grahamstown to ICMnet-Atlantic in Washington D.C. This link has been in place since November 1992, and is running at close to 100% of capacity. An upgrade to 128kb is planned for the near future. Internally, the major networking centres - Cape Town, Grahamstown, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria - are redundantly connected by 64kb digital links. The smaller, or outlying, centres connect to the regional hubs over dedicated 9600bd analogue lines or 64kb digital links. There are several dialup uucp gateways to commercial sites in South Africa, as well as to FidoNet and to sites in neighbouring Southern African countries. The Uninet office at the Foundation for Research Development has an active commitment to Southern African networking, and is prepared to assist with connections in the sub-continent and further afield. The contact at FRD is Vic Shaw, who may be reached by e-mail at the following address: vicshaw@frd.ac.za UNINET-ZA site information -------------------------- This list is intended to give some ideas as to where to start looking for contacts at South African universities, technikons, libraries or research institutes. In most cases, the "postmaster" at each site will be able to assist with information on local users or facilities. If for some reason the "postmaster" isn't answering mail, please correspond with: uninet@frd.ac.za These sites are all connected via TCP/IP: Cape Technikon, Cape Town - postmaster@maxwell.ctech.ac.za Computing Centre for Water Research, Pm'burg - postmaster@aqua.ccwr.ac.za Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - postmaster@nuustak.csir.co.za Elsenburg Agricultural Research Inst, Stel. - postmaster@elsburg.els.agric.za Foundation for Research Development, Pretoria - uninet@frd.ac.za Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory - postmaster@bootes.hartrao.ac.za Hermanus Magnetic Observatory - postmaster@magnet.csir.co.za Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria - postmaster@ludwig.hsrc.ac.za Institute for Maritime Technology, C.T. - postmaster@imt.za Medical Research Council, Bellville, Cape - postmaster@nazgul.mrc.ac.za Medical University of South Africa, Pretoria - postmast@mcd4330.medunsa.ac.za Natal Technikon, Durban - postmaster@rubicon.ntech.ac.za National Accelerator Center, Faure, Cape - postmaster@nacdh1.nac.ac.za Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute - postmaster@ovisun.ovi.ac.za Peninsula Technikon, Cape - postmaster@pentech.ac.za Potchefstroom University - postmaster@pukvm1.puk.ac.za Port Elizabeth Technikon - postmaster@ed.petech.ac.za Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit, Johannesburg - postmaster@rauteg.rau.ac.za [*] Rhodes University, East London Campus - postmaster@lark.ru.ac.za Rhodes University, Grahamstown - postmaster@hippo.ru.ac.za [*] SABINET, Pretoria - postmaster@web.sabinet.co.za [*] St Andrews College, Grahamstown - postmaster@sirius.ru.ac.za Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Cape Town - postmaster@sfri.sfri.ac.za South African Astronomical Observatory, C.T. - postmaster@saao.ac.za Stellenbosch University - postmaster@sunvax.sun.ac.za Technikon OVS/OFS, Bloemfontein - postmaster@studm.tofs.ac.za Technikon RSA, Johannesburg - postmaster@laizy.trsa.ac.za Technikon Witwatersrand, Johannesburg - postmaster@wits870.twr.ac.za University of Cape Town - postmaster@ucthpx.uct.ac.za University of Durban Westville, Durban - postmaster@pixie.udw.ac.za University of Fort Hare, Alice, Ciskei - postmaster@cd4380.ufh.ac.za University of Natal, Durban - postmaster@cc.und.ac.za University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg - postmaster@unpsun1.cc.unp.ac.za University of Port Elizabeth - postmaster@dolphin.upe.ac.za University of Pretoria - postmaster@up.ac.za University of South Africa, Pretoria - postmaster@risc1.unisa.ac.za University of the Orange Free State, Bloem. - postmaster@uovsvm1.uovs.ac.za University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape - postmaster@uwcunx.uwc.ac.za University of the Witwatersrand - postmaster@shannon.ee.wits.ac.za University of Transkei, Umtata, Transkei - postmaster@unitrix.utr.ac.za University of Zululand, Empangeni - postmaster@unizul1.uzulu.ac.za Notes: The East London division of Rhodes University comprises a satellite campus, mainly concentrating on the commerce faculties. SABINET is the subscription based South African Bibliographic Network. Most subscribers to this service are institutional libraries. St Andrews is a private high school with a Novell LAN that has TCP/IP and email links to the Internet via Rhodes University. New connections --------------- Soon to be linked up to the Uninet-ZA TCP/IP network are: University of the North, Vaal Triangle Technikon. Negotiations are in progress between Uninet-ZA and: Vista University, Pretoria Technikon, University of Bophutatswana, South African Libraries Future possibilities: University of Venda, M.L. Sultan Technikon, Northern Transvaal Technikon. Commercial sites and networks ----------------------------- While there are large numbers of purely commercial sites in South Africa using TCP/IP, very few of them are directly connected to Uninet because of somewhat esoteric Telkom regulations about third party traffic as it relates to common interest groups. The exceptions are the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Sabinet, which are part of Uninet-ZA. There are dialup or X.25 based uucp links, and some dedicated TCP/IP links between Uninet-ZA and some commercial sites, which collectively form a loose network known as Sanet. Sketchy details of their connectivity are available in the "u.zaf.1" section of the uucp mapping project - available in irregular postings to the Usenet newsgroup "comp.mail.maps". For further information, contact Mark Elkins at Olivetti Africa (mje@olsa99.olivetti.za) or Aris Stathakis (aris@unisup1.mpd.co.za). The following information was recently posted to a local Usenet newsgroup: ----------------------------------------------------------------- >Newsgroups: uninet.config,sanet.config >From: chris@aim1.aztec.co.za (Chris Pinkham) >Subject: New Internet link in place >Message-ID: <chris.752178411@aim1> >Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1993 18:26:51 GMT >Organization: Aztec Information Management & Guest logins The Internetworking Company of Southern Africa (Ticsa) is pleased to announce that its 64K link to The Internet is up and running. Ticsa's Cape Town hub is connected to Alternet in Falls Church VA. Ticsa is a new company whose goal is to extend Internet services in the region to those who have previously not had access, such as commercial organisations and other non-academic bodies, as well as those in neighbouring countries. It operates with a voluntary, not-for-profit philosophy, based on the founders' desire to make these services available for as low a cost as possible. As of tonight (Monday, 1 November), four companies have access to the Internet via Ticsa, with another six connections scheduled for the coming week. A connection between Uninet-ZA and Ticsa is planned, linking all the local IP nets. Currently, communication between Ticsa and Uninet sites crosses the Atlantic (twice :-). For more information about Ticsa, contact us on (021) 419-2768, or send us email at info@ticsa.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The following list of organisations gleaned from the uucp maps, DNS zone files, postings to Usenet, and other sources is most likely incomplete, and possibly incorrect. However, it isn't easily available elsewhere. Feedback on misleading or incorrect entries is welcomed. Many of these are now on the Internet (marked with an "*"). Note that some of these organisations offer public or commercial access to mail/news in the relevant urban area. Africa Interconnect, C.T. (mail+news) postmaster@afrint.co.za Argus Group, Jbg (Newspaper publishers) postmaster@msdnews.argus.co.za Aztec Information Managenent, C.T. * postmaster@aim1.aztec.co.za Bloemfontein Padworks (Pty), Bloem postmaster@spanner.ofsroads.co.za BTR Dunlop, Dbn (Industrial holdings) postmaster@dunpyr.btrd.co.za C Users Group, Pta postmaster@silmaril.cug.co.za Catalyst BBS, P.E. (mail+news) hwolsink@catpe.alt.za Communica (Electronic component suppliers) postmaster@comca1.communica.co.za Compustat, C.T. (commercial email) * steve@cstat.co.za Dimension Data, Jbg (networking) postmaster@didata.co.za Duxbury Transmision Eqpt, Cape, (EE manf) robert@duxburycape.co.za Electronic Media Networks (Subscription TV) postmaster@corp2.mnet.co.za Eskom, Jbg (Electricty supply utility) postmaster@chalant.eskom.co.za Europe Assistance Worldwide Srvcs (Travel) chris@eurassi.co.za Executive Communications, Pta (Radio paging) * postmaster@execom.co.za First National Batteries, Benoni (Manf) postmaster@fnbat1.fnbat.co.za Free Range Comp Systems, Pta (comms services) * paul@frcs.alt.za GommaGomma, Pta (Furniture manufacturers) postmaster@gomma1.gomma.co.za Hi-Performance Systems, Jbg (HP agents) * postmaster@netsys.hipsys.co.za Infoplan, Cape postmaster@iplan.co.za Intnl Seismic Surveys Inc, Welkom (consult.) postmaster@frgiss3.frg.issi.co.za Internetworking Cape, C.T. (IP+Dialup access) * info@inca.za Investec Property Group, Jbg postmaster@kcms.ipgis.co.za IO Systems, Jbg (Unix education/consulting) * postmaster@svr4dev.iosys.co.za Lasernet, Jbg (SCO support) aris@unisup1.lasernet.co.za LinkData, Claremont postmaster@linkdata.co.za MacLove Computer Systems, Jbg (MCBA agents) postmaster@mc486.maclove.co.za Malachite Electronic Systems, CT andrew@malachite.co.za Megabyte Digital Comms, Jbg (Comms consulting) postmaster@proxima.alt.za Micro & Peripheral Distributors, Jbg * postmaster@unisup1.mpd.co.za Netsys International, Pta postmaster@inetsys.alt.za Olivetti Africa, Jbg postmaster@olsa99.olivetti.za Paradigm Systems Technology, Pta postmaster@silmaril.paradigm.co.za Perseus Computer Systems, Jbg (Data General) postmaster@persys.perseus.co.za Plessey-Tellumat, CT (Electronics) pressinger@plessey.co.za Posix, Pta (commercial mail/news) postmaster@mje99.posix.co.za Rascal Systems postmaster@rascal.co.za Standard Merchant Bank, Jbg (Standard Bank) postmaster@server2.smb.co.za Synergy Computing, C.T. (PowerHouse agent) postmaster@ptns.synergy.co.za Telkom, Jbg (National PTT) postmaster@telkom.co.za Tradenet, Jbg postmaster@tradenet.co.za Transvaal Pressed Nuts & Bolts, Alberton (manf) postmaster@tvlpnb.co.za Uniforum SA, Jbg postmaster@ufrmsa1.olivetti.za Unique Technology, Midrand (SCO support) kevin@support.utekza.co.za Unix Information Systems, C.T. postmaster@uiscpt.uis.co.za Van Zyl Eng Bureau, C.T. (EE consulting) mwvz@vzeb.co.za Vector Computers, Jbg (Sun agents) * postmaster@vector.vector.co.za Wearcheck, Pinetown (Oil analysis lab) postmaster@wearchk.co.za Worknet Information Assocn, Jbg (NGO support) postmaster@worknet.alt.za Zeus Software, Pta hendrik@zeusa.co.za Details of these sites are unknown, but they are Internet connected: * postmaster@apollo.is.co.za * postmaster@real1.realtime.co.za * postmaster@mnet.vironix.co.za Details of these domains are unknown, but they are registered and accept email: acs.co.za alpha.co.za bokomo.co.za bpsa.co.za cat.co.za cghb.co.za cloud.co.za ct.co.za data.co.za datavert.co.za digitec.co.za dynagen.co.za esd.co.za glaxo.co.za greensense.co.za iba.co.za infodoor.co.za infoware.co.za integrated.co.za itech.co.za ivan.co.za jdg.co.za mim.co.za naspers.co.za netline.co.za quantum.co.za rmb.co.za rrs.co.za scs.co.za sqlint.co.za tdmine.co.za telkor.co.za uniflex.co.za One of the commercial customers of Compustat is: Cape Bar (Assocn of lawyers in Cape Town) steve@huguenot.mhs.cstat.co.za NGO's and other organisations ----------------------------- Non governmental organisations (NGO's) such as Worknet and some other organisations that are neither "academic" or "commercial" are housed in the "alt.za" zone. Contact paul@frcs.alt.za for more information. Some of these are uucp or FidoNet dialup sites associated with APC. The alt.za zone is also intended to cater for private individuals, or hobbyists not involved with FidoNet. FidoNet ------- There is an extensive Fido network in South Africa, addressable from the Internet as *.z5.fidonet.org. Contact Henk Wolsink (hwolsink@catpe.alt.za) for more details. Henk is the Z5 zone (Africa) co-ordinator. Be aware, though, that Worknet (an affiliate of APC, the association for progressive computing) also make use of FidoNet nodes that do not appear in the standard node lists. On the academic front, there are FidoNet links to: University of Mauritius, Port Louis - Mukesh.Soocheta@f1.n726.z5.fidonet.org University of Zambia, Lusaka - mbennett@f1.n761.z5.fidonet.org Neighbouring countries ---------------------- Rhodes University runs a uucp dialup gateway (i.e. email only) with links to the following academic sites: National University of Lesotho, Roma - postmaster@isas.nul.ls University of Botswana, Gaberone - postmaster@motswedi.ub.bw Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique - postmaster@dzowo.uem.mz University of Namibia, Windhoek - inactive at present, but try Eberhard Lisse (el@lisse.na) for more info on their status. University of Swaziland, Mbabane - postmaster@attic.alt.sz University of Zimbabwe, Harare - postmaster@zimbix.uz.zw The National University of Lesotho are upgrading their email system from the current DOS based PC, to a 386bsd multi-user unix system. When this system is commissioned, the primary contact address will change. The University of Zambia are experimenting with a uucp link, and are masquerading as "unza.ru.ac.za" - mail to root@unza.ru.ac.za may elicit a response. Currently, the preferred method of contact is via the Fidonet link. Note that these are all dialup links, usually 2400 baud, and the phone calls are, in most cases, being paid for by the remote site. Vast volumes of trivial email could cause financial woe to the recipents. SAPONET ------- A source of some confusion is the X.25 packet switching network run by Telkom and known as Saponet. This is a carrier - not a network. However, an X.28 interface to Saponet is accessible in quite small centers via a local telephone call. It also provides a dialin-dialout service similar to PC-pursuit, access to Beltel (a teletext system similar to the French Minitel), and access to an X.400 service as well as other facilities. Telkom will rent subscribers Minitel terminals, and also sell PC compatible communications and emulation software. X.400 ----- Telkom are running a commercial X.400 mail service, known as Telkom400. It has access to other international X.400 systems, and email from the Internet can be sent to Telkom400 subscribers and vice versa. Thanks to Andrew Cameron (apcamero@patsbbs.alt.za) for discovering and making public the following information on addressing email from the Internet to the Telkom400 service (taken from a posting in the Usenet newsgroup "comp.mail.misc"): Here are skeleton addressing formats for two gateways that are known to work: /G=FirstName/S=Surname/P=PRMD/A=ADMD/C=COUNTRY@mailnet.fi /G=FirstName/S=Surname/P=PRMD/A=ADMD/C=COUNTRY@chx400.switch.ch Converting these into a real example, here is how to send email to Andrew: /G=Andrew/S=Cameron/A=TELKOM400/C=ZA@mailnet.fi /G=Andrew/S=Cameron/A=TELKOM400/C=ZA@chx400.switch.ch But, as Andrew points out: "Please If you Send me X.400 Mail I will not be able to reply as I am still trying to figure out how to Reply in the correct X.400 format to get back to Internet. Also It costs rather a lot to send International mail Via X.400." The solution to one of these problems is given by Andrew in a later posting to "comp.mail.misc": To reply from within X.400 to the Internet address: apcamero@patsbbs.alt.za send your mail using the following X.400 syntax: C=CH ADMD=ARCOM PRMD=SWITCH LASTNAME=apcamero ORGANIZATION=za OU1=alt OU2=patsbbs Further information on X.400 addressing within South Africa has been provided by Russell Vincent (vincent@cc.und.ac.za) in a posting to the Usenet newsgroup "uninet.config": ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not sure if I should be pointing this out yet, but, there is another cheaper way [of routing mail to X.400 subscribers] in experimental use. For people in Uninet (note: *.ac.za only) : /G=Andrew/S=Cameron/P=TelkomSA/A=Telkom400/C=za@batis.bis.und.ac.za ^^^^^^^^^^ not too sure of this part - try without, too. X.400 addresses are tricky to say the least. Some gateways require certain fields, others do not. Mine is fussy, so you may need to try a few times. This is an X.400/SMTP gateway I set up and at the moment the costs are being carried by UND, hence the usage restrictions. This is under negotioation (I think) with Uninet, so hopefully something will change. Note, that if this is abused, then it will be removed, but we have no objections to people using it for small and few messages. Strictly NO ftpmail and UUencoded programs/files - X.25/X.400 costs are not cheap! Contact me if you need any more info - I can't supply addresses, though. -Russell -- Russell Vincent, Computer Services, Univ. of Natal, Durban, South Africa vincent@cc.und.ac.za ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compu$erve Africa ----------------- A subscription based gateway to CompuServe in the U.S.A. is available through the CSIR. It is expensive, and, probably, for Internet based citizens, of theoretical interest. Non-Internet citizens can make enquiries to the (South African) toll free number 0800 112252. Usenet ------ A full Usenet newsfeed - currently in excess of 2400 newsgroups, with the notable exception of the "alt.binaries.{pictures|sounds}.*" hierarchy, the historical victim of a low bandwidth link - is imported into South Africa using TCP/IP protocols (not NNTP) and is freely available to Uninet-ZA sites, as well as to the FidoNet community and to other commercial and private organisations. Internal re-distribution is by nntp and uucp. In addition to the standard hierarchies, the full "aus", "bionet", "bit" (a comprehensive selection of gatewayed LISTSERV mailing lists), "eunet", "info" (a selection of Internet based mailing lists), "gnu", "k12", and "vmsnet" hierarchies are imported. A conscious decision was made to obtain as full a feed as possible so as to minimize administrative hassle and end-user backchat about censorship. The regional news hierarchy is "za", and it contains several newsgroups devoted to Southern African issues. In addition, some institutions have their own local news hierarchies. "za" is distributed outside South Africa, and interested persons may be able to arrange a newsfeed by contacting Randy Bush - randy@psg.com. Issues relating to networking connectivity (or otherwise), policy arguments, and general queries are currently discussed in the newsgroup "za.net.misc". Other newsgroups are: za.ads.jobs Looking for a job?/Offering a job? za.ads.lifts Want a lift from Bulawayo to Cape Town via Durbs? za.ads.misc For sale/to swap/wanted to buy za.archives Who's got what, where... and how... za.culture.xhosa Ingxoxo ngolwini, amasiko nezithete zakwaXhosa. * za.culture.xhosa For discussions of Xhosa language and culture. za.environment Environmental issues in Southern Africa za.events Conferences, events and happenings nationally za.flame A cool imitation of the real thing za.humour Humour/jokes/fun za.misc General chat, comments, announcements etc za.net.maps Local UUCP maps [uucpmap@lasernet.co.za] (Moderated) za.net.misc Miscellaneous ramblings on networking in ZA za.net.stats Statistics on network usage, automated postings etc za.politics Politics in Southern Africa za.schools Issues affecting primary and secondary education za.sport Finer points of jukskei or the Comrades marathon za.test Testing of news links and configurations za.unix.misc General discussion, questions and chat about Unix in ZA Entries marked with an "*" provide alternative descriptors for the systems "newsgroups" file. The following major news hubs are reportedly carrying the "za.*" hierarchy. If you want to receive the newsgroups, get your news administrator to ask one of these hub sites where to get a feed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ agate.berkeley.edu San Franciso hub darwin.sura.net Washington DC area hub europa.eng.gtefsd.com Washington DC area hub nctuccca.edu.tw major hub in Taiwan noc.near.net Boston/New England hub news.pipex.net major hub in the UK news.gatech.edu SouthEastern US hub news.moneng.mei.com new site (the guy that used to run Spool.MU.edu) news.hk.net hub in HongKong newsserver.jvnc.net New Jersey nntp.xlink.net major hub in germany paladin.american.edu the Usenet-to-Bitnet gateway site sol.ctr.columbia.edu NY City hub spool.mu.edu major hub, national influence torn.onet.on.ca Toronto Canada hub usc.edu Los Angeles hub vixen.cso.uiuc.edu Illinois wupost.wustl.edu St. Louis ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ uunet.uu.net UUnet, Virginia well.sf.ca.us Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, San Francisco -- F.F. Jacot Guillarmod PO Box 94 | ccfj@hippo.ru.ac.za Computing Centre Grahamstown 6140 / Fax: +27 461 25049 Rhodes University South Africa ;___*/ Phone: +27 461 318284 The views expressed above are not necessarily those of Rhodes University
