From: arno@dscatl.UUCP (Atlanta Regional Network Organization)
Newsgroups: atl.general,atl.arno
Subject: The Atlanta Regional Network Organization (ARNO)
Date: 8 Oct 92 02:43:27 GMT
Reply-To: arno@dscatl.UUCP (Atlanta Regional Network Organization)
Distribution: atl
Organization: Atlanta Regional Network Org.  (ARNO)


The following is a description of a new independent group, the
Atlanta Regional Network Organization (ARNO) [Founded 30 Sept 92]:

What it is:

 + A volunteer group of interconnected local hub systems to provide 
   non-Internet sites with UUCP network connectivity to the Internet
   and to other sites.

 + A means to provide UUCP connectivity to the rapidly-growing "small
   system" community.  This includes both "waffle" and UUPC users.

 + Instead of new systems having to "search" for a site which will 
   provide them a UUCP connection, there will be a central contact
   point which will co-ordinate with ARNO systems to determine
   which can provide the requested service.

 + Provide domain registration to the "atl.ga.us" domain for all
   who wish it.  (Get rid of those long 'bang' path e-mail addresses)


What it is not!:

 + It is not an attempt to compete with any commercial enterprise
   which provides UNIX access.  Instead, ARNO will make potential
   UUCP and Netnews users aware of those services and give them 
   "contact" information for those sites.

 + It is not intended as a means of excluding those who are not a
   part of the "UNIX clique".  Instead, ARNO wants to make it 
   easier for newcomers to become part of the "network."

In the above context, an "Internet Gateway" system is one which is
directly connected to Internet (e.g.: emory, gatech).  A "Local Hub"
system is one which has high-speed and high-capacity transmission
capability (e.g.: PEP, compression, etc.).  These sites in turn are
able and willing to supply connections to other sites at lower
speeds.  

In the next few weeks, the current ARNO members and potential new
ARNO members will be meeting to discuss feasable means of meeting
the above goals of network linkages and services with the
currently-avaliable facilities.  All comments from interested
parties is strongly encouraged.  Postings may be made to the
"atl.arno" newsgroup, or e-mail sent to:

     arno@mathcs.emory.edu
     arno@gatech.edu
     emory!arno
     gatech!arno


One of the goals of ARNO is to ease the current over-load on Emory
and Georgia Tech.  They have been gracious in providing connections
for various sites in the Atlanta area, but the demand is
continually growing.  These educational sites have no mandate nor
budget for this service, and need to have the burden shifted to
other volunteers.  This will be the purpose of the "Local Hub"
sites.  With this in mind, there will need to be some re-arrangement of 
connections to provide a better balance.  However, both Emory and
Georgia Tech have said they will maintain network MX (mail
routing) nodes which will be able to route e-mail from the Internet
to any of the sites connected within the ARNO area (and properly
registered with 'uucpmap@cowpas.waffle.atl.ga.us')



Cheers,
  Lindsay

Lindsay Cleveland         Atlanta Regional Network Organzation.
  emory!dscatl!arno         (404) 497-1902
                         (U.S. Mail:  PO Box 1149, Duluth, GA  30136)
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