From: nna@ukc.ac.uk (N.N.Avramov)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.bulgaria
Subject: Academic Networking in Bulgaria
Date: 18 Aug 92 12:09:02 GMT
Organization: Computing Lab, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK.

Last days I have seen several messages about Bulgarian part of EUnet. Here 
is some brief information about academic network in Bulgaria.

SITES:
The main site of the network is based on KZIIT - BAS (Center for Informatics
of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) and provides services for Bulgarian academic
comunity. This network in online since last February as a part of EARN/BITNET.
There are two full service nodes:
BGEARN.BITNET - an IBM 4381 machine
BGCICT.BITNET - VAX/VMS
which are permanently connected to the network throughout a node based in Linz.

ORGANIZATION:
Both nodes operate as gateways to other computers in the network. There is 
a Decnet of several VAXes in Chemistry Institute, Phisics Institute (8 km 
campus), Mechanics Institute, Plovdiv University, KZIIT and others. Two IBM 
hosts in Mathematics Institute and Phisics Institute are also permanently 
online through SNA. The Technical University (former MEI) will be connected 
soon if the rector gives his approval. Several local area networks in 4-km 
campus of the Academy link a lot of PCs to provide service for the Institutes 
which haven't better computers. Actually one or two PCs serve whole Institute 
and all staff is known under one or two user names. Several organizations 
like Open Society Foundation, American University in Blagoevgrad, Economics 
University (former h.e.institute), etc. are connected through switched lines. 
At the moment this network serves about 700-800 users but the actual user 
IDs and  users names may be obtained only from the service people of 
particular nodes.

SERVICES:
Most of the users are familiar only with e-mail service. It is possible from 
everywhere to access sites all over the world, no matter to which network 
they are connected. The users of two main nodes can also use all BITNET 
services, including sending and receiving files, LISTSERV and TRICLE 
(equvalent to simtel20). If the international line will be improved, 
NEWS will also be available soon after.

I will try to provide a list of the most important user IDs and addresses of
people, resposible for the network. BITNET users will be able to use such 
information directly from LISTSERV@BGEARN very soon. Others may contact direct-
ly to the Postmaster@bgearn.bitnet or Postmaster@bgcict.bitnet

The main part of the network was built on the machines property of the Academy 
of Sciences but by voluntiers and without any significant funding from the 
central Academy governing body or National Government itself. This is of course 
a shame for Bulgarians, comparing with the support which academic comunity 
in other former socialist countries receive from their governments. Recently 
was founded and in May 1992 was officially registrated a non-profit organiza-
tion which intends to coordinate the networking activity in the academic comu-
nity. The assosiation includes about 50 members (organizations) and obviously 
will become more active after the summer holidays.


Nikolay Avramov,
KZIIT (EARN-Bulgaria)

==========================================================================
Addresses:
Temporary:  nna@ukc.ac.uk

Permanent:  navra@bgearn.bitnet
            navra@bgcict.bitnet

            Center for Informatics and Computer Technology
            Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
            tel. +3592 70 84 94,   +3592 7131 6616
==========================================================================