From:  nev@renews.relcom.msk.su (ReNews Edit.Vladimir Shliemin)
Subject: Russian network magazine -ReNews
Keywords: Russian INFO
Reply-To: nev@renews.relcom.msk.su
Organization: Joint-Stock Company RELCOM
Date: Tue,  6 Oct 92 08:26:57 +0300



    RUSSIA
     **
                                R E N E W S

                       network newsletter of RELCOM

                    ******************************************
                                 ReNews N 5
                                 ----------

            CONTENTS
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 * IBM  in Russia: SIREN project
 * SEQUENT: PARTNERS and CUSTOMERS
 * NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR RUSSIAN ELECTRONICS
 * SCIENCE: COLLAPSE IN UKRAINE
 * Relcom news
 * CEM' 92. CONSUMER ELECTRONIC GOODS in Moscow?
 * Viruses: Frontier guard -- ADINF

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IBM WINS THE BATTLE OVER EUROPEANS IN THE CIS MARKET
Russian-US project "SIREN-3"

A new corporation "International Technological Corp." has been
created in Russia on the base of the Department of
Airtransportation and it is now starting the reconstruction of
Airtransportation control and management system.

Until now there was an old system of flight reservation on the
territory of the former USSR which was called "SIREN-2".
Technically it is uncompleted and doesn't meet necessary  standard
requirements. The fact that you could make a reservation only for
30 days in advance was shocking to specialists form abroad.
And the use of the American system SITA for international
transportation annually costs us 10 mln. US dollars.

The new system was called "SIREN-3" -- by analogy with the old
one. It will be able to automatize the sales and
booking of passenger tickets and cargo routing. The
estimations are that the system will serve 250 million of
passengers and 3 to 5 million tons of cargo annually.  It will
level in its possibilities or even surpass such famous systems
as SABRE, APOLLO, GALILEO, AMADEUS.

Our old partner IBM was chosen as the main performer. Its
Enterprise Series (ES) 9000 computer will become the central
server of the new dispatcher system. It will support 40,000
ticket booking terminals installed at Aeroflot agencies in 300
cities across the country, the reaction time on a query
will not exceed 5 seconds the total intensity amounting to 700
queries per second.

IBM's partner are American Airlines. AMRIS Transport Automation
Services, developer of American Airlines' Sabre software, has
been contracted to provide software.

>From the very beginning two airline companies were struggling for
the contract: British Airways and American Airlines. At the
same time Russian aviators and the Government were deciding who
should supply the equipment and execute technical jobs of
direct network creation. There were also two candidates, but both
from the US: IBM and UNISYS.

The British have worked with Aeroflot for several years and
it seemed they will win the tender. The more so as Aeroflot was
very strongly influenced by a group which secured international
distribution through the SITA Gabriel system which is based
on the UNISYS machines.

American Airlines are the creators and the advocates of another
system -- SABRE. And as an IBM official was quoted saying the
original version of this system was created together with IBM.

So UNISYS & BA were against IBM & AA.

But the tender of contractors supplying equipment and hardware
was considered first, and it was duly given to IBM -- our old
partner in various fields of informatics. And IBM chose American
Airlines -- its old partner in the field of the development of
the like systems. That's how another stage in the conquest of the
CIS markets came to an end.

And the game was worth it. Anyway the works will cost Russia at
minimum of 150 mln. US dollars and about 3 billion roubles
(according to the 1992 prices).

RENEWS met with Alec McBarnett, head of this project (IBM):

"What attracted IBM in this project?"

"IBM has global goals," -- says McBarnett. " We started to work
in this field of transportation because the Russian Government
needs the help of foreign partners in this field.  You need high
technologies. And IBM while working on the "SIREN-3" project is
ready to prove that it has enough experience, technical and
"know-how" abilities.
IBM will fully equip 5 central data processing nodes in
Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Kiev, Alma-Ata. We will also
provide the hardware for the whole trunk-line data network. We
plan to manufacture  peripherals and terminals on the IBM plant
we are going to open in Russia."

"How can you explain the fact that IBM doesn't use its own
software in the system? Why do you use American Airlines'
programs?"

"This is not completely true. IBM will supply operational
systems, database management software, things in which we are
traditionally strong. American Airlines will install applications
which will ensure direct flight piloting, collect and process
technical data. This is a huge software package -- about 20.000
routines. It took more than 34 years to design and develop them.
Naturally IBM doesn't develop such specialized application
programs.

But co-operation with your programmers might be very helpful for
us. Recently a group of software developers from GIVC (Main
Computer Center), civil aviation institutes, other scientific
establishments came to the USA within the framework of this
project.  And our specialists were simply amazed by their high
qualification."

"Since there are still 4 years till the system will be actually
launched could it happen that IBM's equipment will become
physically and morally old?"

"This is out of question! None of the leading airline companies
have used this equipment yet! And by the time you launch our
systems at home they will hardly be widely common. And we will
help you not to lose the pace."

ph.: +7 095-235-6602, +7 095-235-4844

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SEQUENT: PARTNERS AND CUSTOMERS

Relcom Corp. which runs the largest computer network in the CIS
and European countries bought a Sequent computer to upgrade its
central node. The most interesting thing is that SEQUENT
company had won the tender on computer supply over such
recognized leaders as DEC, CDC, SUN, Hewlett Packard.

This was made possible thanks to the "LVS Corporation" which is
SEQUENT's business partner in the CIS countries. By the way at
the decisive moment LVS granted a demonstration SEQUENT for test
use. We asked Leonid Boguslavsky, president of LVS, to tell us
about the partnership with SEQUENT.

"LVS started as a group of specialists from the Academy of
Sciences working on development of networks, data processing
systems and databases. We did our first large-scale projects in
Czechoslovakia: created two computer networks.
While working on the project where we used Oracle database we
found out that it reached maximum performance on SEQUENT
machines.

We decided to get to know SEQUENT computers better. Until that
time we knew very little about SEQUENT. I think that even now
only a few specialists in our country know about it. And
meanwhile these are the most suitable machines for us -- SEQUENT
computers are the cheapest in their class. They are cheap and
productive.

In Russia the first ones to use SEQUENT systems became Moscow
Consolidated Bank and the well known computer network Relcom.
-------------------------------------------
ph. +7 095 208-4531
fax +7 095 924-0963 e-mail: bogu@lvs.msk.su

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::-


NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR RUSSIAN ELECTRONICS

The attention of specialists was attracted to the arrival of
representatives from the US firm CADENCE, the leader in world
production of CAD software in the field of creation electronic
components.

Recently CADENCE merged with VALUED LOGIC. VL is known all over
the world for its software which helped to design the latest
generations of Intel and Motorola processors.

Our sources say that the purpose of this visit is to start
trading in the CIS market and to develop some joint projects. In
particular several meetings were conducted with local
firms "Ineum", "Angstrem" (Zelenograd), Designing Bureau
"Electronpribor" (Kharkov), Scientific-Industrial Union
"Integral" (Minsk), several Moscow and Russian enterprises.

It looks like modern technology will at last appear in the CIS
electronic industry. This can affect the future of the gigantic
productive potential of several plants which now are in a
critical situation.

Also meetings with representatives and directors of
inter-departmental scientific council on CAD in electronics were
held in the Russian Academy of Sciences.
 --------------------
 Contact:
 ph.ROY CONSULTANCY INTERNATIONAL Inc.
 +7 095 246-4439
 fax
 +7 095 246 -7955
 -------.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

                           COLLAPSE

Ukraine is watching the collapse of its large scientific systems
considered until recently to be research leaders in the field of
computers and informatics in all USSR.

The reorganization of the Ukrainian Science Academy
Cybernetics Institute may divide the institute into 6 independent
subdivisions. Experts say this would ruin links between
laboratories undepartaments which allowed to conduct complex
scientific research work.


Today many people believe that low achievements of home computer
science in many applied fields are due to the low level of
scientists and scientific research. Doubtly so... Probably we
have here a set of factors: from Government underestimation of
computer science and informatics to a real shortage of resources
and investments in the development of electronic industry.

Instead of creating new centers able to reconstruct this sphere
on the base of the old ones someone chose to ruin all
that existed. But our country's experience demonstrates the
hopelessness of this approach -- destruction never led to
creation.

The process in Kiev has begun. Designing Bureau of mathematics
machines and processes of the Cybernetics institute became an
independent self-financing organization. We doubt that something
can now its 4.000 staff from the unsteady market problems of
the former Soviet republic.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::-

                          RELCOM News


We are starting to publish Relcom news coming from the largest
computer network on the territory of ex-USSR.

---------
CHANNEL TO THE WEST

Relcom received a new channel from EUnet to the west -- via
Amsterdam. Technical director of Relcom Corp. Alexander Voronkov
says:

"Until mow we used an ordinary phone switchedchannel to
call Europe via Finland. And recently a decision was made to give
us a channel. It consists of a direct channel to Rotterdam and a
short arm of 30-40 km to Amsterdam. Thanks to this new channel
the network capacity will increase by 4 fold. It will now take
only a couple of minutes instead of several hours for a message
from a western country to reach the central computer in kiae
node. On-line will be also possible.

The works are coming to an end and I am sure that in a month or
two users will be able to feel the advantages of this new
channel."

 ---------

FIBER CHANNEL MOSCOW-ST.PETERSBURG

Relcom is starting a new project on creating fiber communications
lines.
Director of Relcom Corp. Nickolay Saukh says:

"In perspective we want to upgrade all channels to fiber. Of
course, keeping in mind our tremendous lag in networking
we can choose to make gradual transitions -- first master one set
of protocols, then another and so on. What I mean is we can
follow the path of other countries. And keep catching up with
them for all our lives. But ...

Our salvation lies in outstripping the others. Even western
countries don't have enough fiber networks. They will appear only
in 3 or 4 years. And we should be ready to work with them by that
time.

Relcom started a project on creating fiber line on the route from
Moscow to St. Petersburg with an outlet to Kingissepp.
The aim of this project is o build and bring into operation one
section of the global fiber communication ring on the territory
of Russia.

The introduction of fiber lines will allow to create a new
industry of information services for the Relcom network and for
the addressees abroad, to attract foreign users.

Right now Relcom is financing planning and research works which
are being conducted on the route.Relcom is taking an active part
in organizing a consortium  which would be able to accomplish
the project without foreign investments using home
techniques.

Necessary investments (June 1992 prices) -- 1,2 billion rbl.
Operation time -- 1,5 years
Expected profit -- no less than 1,5 billions rbls plus 40 million
                   dlrs annually

-------------------------
NEW EQUIPMENT, NEW POSSIBILITIES

Relcom Corp. and SEQUENT signed a contract for new servers for
the central communication backbone in Moscow
President of Relcom Corp. Alexei Soldatov commented on the event:

"Every month several hundreds machines connect up with the
Relcom  network. And "kiae" backbone sends more than 400 Mbytes
of letters and info each day.

Relcom Corp., which operates it, is upgrading technical base.
Until now modernization was impossible: we didn't have enough
money to buy high-class machines. There were no government
subsidies either.

We didn't decide to buy SEQUENT machines right away. We discussed
the possibilities of purchasing like equipment from SUN or CDC
corporations. But every suggested model had only one
processor. And this wouldn've been extremely inconvenient when
working with large numbers of channels.

The SEQUENT system can re-shape the functioning of the node. The
use of the new machine will allow to free several MicroVAXes and
considerably speed up the processing of users' materials and
transmission quality.

As a result we can take off the sharpness from the problem of
constant load increase. We can firmly stand up to the load
increase coming in the fall. Second of all, by replacing VAXes we
are releasing them for the development of new nodes.

By the way we plan to upgrade the node  by the end of September.
In the middle of November we plan to begin fully operating the
SEQUENT machine."

ph. +7 095-943-4735, +7 095-198-9510
e-mail: postmaster@office.relcom.msk.su

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

EXHIBITION FOR ...?

The Second International Exhibition of Consumer Electronics in
Moscow -- CEM'92

The CEM'92 exhibition in Moscow has come to an end. Who came this
time and for what purpose? Probably it's no secret that the state
of economy in Russia and the Commonwealth doesn't allow to plunge
into business in local territories... Especially with expensive
goods. And moreover these are not the basic consumer goods.

But there were large expositions from SONY, JVC, PIONEER,
PHILIPS, SIEMENS, WHIRLPOOL and other widely-known names.

We didn't even get a chance to talk to a Sony representative.
Their office was a scene of constant negotiating and
contract-signing.

"Now wonder", -- says CROCUS International deputy director Igor
Naidenov. "We organized this exhibition together with our old
and strong American partner -- COMTEC International. And our main
aim was to invite not trading companies but those who produce
high-quality consumer electronics themselves. And as we can see
from the list of participants and exhibitors we managed to
accomplish our idea. The principal stands are given to those who
work with technics themselves. Hence the results -- although
primary -- of the exhibition.

Representatives of former defence -- or conversion as they are
dubbed now -- enterprises are regular guests at this exhibition.
Foreign firms when preparing the exhibition considered not only
projects on the organization of trade in the Commonwealth
countries but also projects on developing production of
high-complex consumer electronics on plants that have high
technologies and a modern technical standard. And the "defence
people" who are today looking for exactly these opportunities
quickly understood this. Our phones are ringing constantly..."

And judging by the intensity of the negotiations going on in
practically all of the offices at the same time the exhibition
was a success.

But CEM'92 had not only guests from abroad. There were
representatives of home business too.

Since 1989 in Russia there is a branch of the transnational
company ASI (Aquaris Systems Integral with head-quarters in
Taiwan). What would a computer producer be doing here? Moreover
as specialists say a firm which produces rather expensive
computers if you keep in mind that they are assembled on Russian
plants from details coming from all over the world.

"Here were displayed our relatively new computer T'BIRD or as it
is also called "game computer", says Alexander Yarishik, head of
the ASI information service. "We aim to give the market a wide
choice, It's absolutely clear today that orientation toward 286
processor is obsolete. And we are presenting here a machine of
next generation with a 386 processor. Its distinguishing feature
is that it can be used as a game gadget. In other words it's able
to realize several game programs with maximum effect and
quality. But this doesn't mean that it can do only that. This a
machine that can be used also as a modern PC. In any case it won
recognition in the West as a game computer. Of course, business
in Russia and the CIS today impose a great risk. And our German
partners are still a little distrustful of the opportunity to
sell these computers here. But as we think this computer
will win approval on the market. Because it costs only 2000 $."

We visited Computerland's booth, the Czech Moravia S.P. which
for some reason decided to attract customers with gas ovens and
geysers that looked very much alike with those we produce
ourselves. Trading corporations from South-Eastern Asia
(Hongkong, f.e.) were welcomed with satisfaction at the
exhibition halls. Throwing a brief glance at Japanese and German
TV sets, audio- and videosystems of different world brandnames we
finally got to our old friends' Mark Logurato office. Logurato is
the vice-president of COMTEC International.

"How do you manage to attract to our not so wealthy market such
brand names? "

"A company is no good if it lives only for today", says Mark.
"Those who came here are counting upon long-term programs. In
particular, on creating productive capacities. No one is
expecting the profits of taking part in the exhibition to reveal
immediately. The estimate is made for the future..."

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FRONTIER-GUARD -- ADINF


Specialists on anti-virus programs unconditionally accepted
Dmitri Mostovoy, senior member of staff of the Institute
of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences
(RAS) as an ace in the field. And this is not a surprise:
Mostovoy is the creator of powerful revising program named
ADINF.

Mostovoy's main profession is to create systems that describe
the behavior of aircrafts in the atmosphere. In other words
these are landing space modules, "Buran"...

"Some 4 or 5 years ago we thought of viruses as of an original
idea of idle journalists", -- remembers Dmitri. "But not more
than 6 months passed since first messages and viruses began to
fall on us like an avalanche. Each time they became more and more
refined, cunning and complex."

"I'm in principle a supporter of a pragmatic approach to software
and hardware. I think that they should work for the person and
not vice versa. But many anti-viral systems can't work without
the help of man. A man should discover the virus and find means
of fighting it.  And then you can create software based on man's
experiences. I aimed to create such a program that would be able
to detect any even the most camouflaged interference in the
computer operation. That's how the ADINF anti-viral program was
born."

ADINF became one of the leaders in home software sales -- about
12.000 a year. It was ADINF which was the first in this country
to capture and hamper DIR in the software of the company
which is the major creator of anti-viral system.

"ADINF is a modification of a simple "inspector" which
I created more than 3 years ago. In principle  "inspector" is a
system that works on the basis of analyzing the condition of data
on the disc itself. If the data suddenly change that means that
something on the disc is wrong. And that can probably mean a
virus. The first revisors operated on comparing bytes sum before
and after working with the disc. Then with the appearance of
"stealth-viruses" which didn't reveal themselves as openly old
inspectors turned out to be helpless. And then I began creating a
program that would analyze the condition of the disc on a lower
level: teh BIOS level. By today's, 7th version I managed to
accomplish even more. Now ADINF on a world scale moved from being
an inspector to a group of Virus Forecasting Centers. Because I
thought it to detect and extract the stealths themselves."

The essence of the invisible stealth-viruses is based on the fact
that they immediately acquire the form of one of the parts of the
operational system when infecting the computer. That's why
Mostovoi tried to determine where does the "stealth" has its
Achilles heel. And he discovered that if you compare the data on
a physical level and the data given by DOS query you will see
a big difference between healthy and infectious systems. In other
words a virus is always seen. And that's how  ADINF can detect
it.

Mostovoy keeps on working and perfecting his software. For our
own good.
   e-mail Relcom/InterNet: lyu@dials.msk.su
          FIDONet:  2:5020/6.13
          BBS:      (+7-095) 135-6253
                     (20:00-10:00, GMT+3, 2400 bps, MNP-5)
  Tel/Fax:  (+7-095) 137-0150
  Tel:      (+7-095) 137-0184

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 WE WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CO-OPERATE WITH YOU.

   Vladimir Shliemin
     Head of Information department JS Co. RELCOM
     Editor of RENEWS
   PHONE : (+7) (095) 401-6248
   !-----------------------------------------------------------------!
   !       E'mail: nev@renews.relcom.msk.su                          !
   !-----------------------------------------------------------------!


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