15 Dec
2005
15 Dec
'05
7 p.m.
The hobbyist DECnet is actually working - we have now five distinct
locations connected and six or seven machines online 24x7 with a couple
dozen more that are turned on occasionally. Here's a SHOW NETWORK -
OpenVMS Network status for local node 2.1 LEGATO on 15-DEC-2005 18:40:09.95
Area Cost Hops Next Hop to Area
1 4 1 SVA-0 -> 1.13 MIM
2 0 0 (Local) -> 2.1 LEGATO
11 4 1 SVA-0 -> 11.1023 A11RTR
60 10 1 TCP-0-0 -> 60.664 PDXVAX
Node Links Cost Hops Next Hop to Node
2.7 CODA 0 4 1 SVA-0 -> 2.7 CODA
2.100 PETEY 0 10 1 TCP-0-1 -> 2.100 PETEY
Total of 2 nodes.
You can see a full list of the nodes and descriptions here
http://www.jfcl.com/Computers/dcn.pdf
We've been using Johnny's HECnet mailing list to communicate
http://www.update.uu.se/~bqt/hecnet.html
If you'd like to hook up we'd love to have more nodes!
Bob Armstrong
-----Original Message-----
from: Robert Armstrong [mailto:bob at jfcl.com]
I'm interested in setting up a network of hobbyist
DEC machines linked
together in a DECnet phase IV network. Why? I suppose there's no
really good reason, but it seems like it would be fun to be able to do
"SHOW NET" or "NCP SHOW ACTIVE NODES" and see a whole long list of
machines that aren't mine :-) Besides, it would be a good way to share
access to real, non-simulated, VMS/RSX/RSTS and even, maybe, TOPS-10
or 20, machines.
Does anyone else agree? Is anyone else interested in participating?
I know I'm not the first to think of this; in particular, I've had a
few email discussions recently with Johnny Billquist about HECnet,
http://www.update.uu.se/~bqt/hecnet.html
At some point I'd like to link up with HECnet, but right now Johnny is
having ISP problems and it sounds like HECnet is down to one or two
nodes.
Are there any other hobbyist DECnet associations that are going
strong?
As for technology, it seems like the best thing would be to use the
Internet as our communications medium. Nobody wants to pay for
point-to-point leased lines anymore, after all. Multinet, TCPware, and
even DECNet Phase V all have the ability to send DECnet traffic over IP.
Right now I'm leaning towards Multinet - they have a free hobbyist
license program, and Multinet can create point-to-point virtual DECnet
circuits using UDP packets that can be routed over the Internet.
They're simple to set up and administer.
I have a fair amount of Internet bandwidth available at my location,
and I can set aside a VS4000 VLC or model 90 to serve as a dedicated Phase
IV
routing node.
Bob Armstrong