Network Working Group S. Williamson Request for Comments: 1261 L. Nobile Network Solutions September 1991
TRANSITION OF NIC SERVICES
Status of this Memo
This memo PRovides information for the Internet community. It does not specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Discussion
The transition of the Network Information Center from SRI International in Menlo Park, CA, to Government Systems Inc. in Chantilly, VA, is officially scheduled for 1 October 1991. This includes the transition of services currently offered to DDN and Internet users by SRI. These services include network/user registration (i.e., network number and top level domain name assignment), on-line information services, and Help Desk Operations. GSI will also continue RFCand Internet-Draft archive and distribution services.
SRI will continue to provide all NIC services and respond to all user calls and requests until 30 September 1991.
Defense Information System Agency (DISA) and GSI will make every effort to ensure a smooth and timely transition of NIC services from SRI. Network users should be minimally impacted. With a few minor exceptions, all on-line services currently offered by SRI will appear the same to the user when a connection is established to the new (GSI) NIC host. These exceptions are due to the change from the TOPS20 operating system to the SunOS operating system. The new NIC host is a Sun 470 SPARCserver running SunOS 4.1. All users on the DDN and the Internet should carefully note the following changes:
U.S. Postal Address: Government Systems, Inc. Attn: Network Information Center 14200 Park Meadow Drive Suite 200 Chantilly, VA 22021
Help Desk Telephone Numbers:
1-800-365-3642 (1-800-365-DNIC) 1-703-802-4535
Help Desk Hours of Operation:
7:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern Time
Fax Number: 1-703-802-8376
Network Address: 192.112.36.5 (NIC.DDN.MIL)
Root Domain Server: 192.112.36.4 (NS.NIC.DDN.MIL)
During the period of 26 to 30 September 1991 the ID (WHOIS) database will not be changed. All registration actions for this five day period will be suspended. This action is necessary in order to transfer the master database to GSI. Starting 26 September 1991, all U.S. mail and fax requests should be directed to the GSI address and fax number shown above. All electronic mail requests should continue to be directed to the "HOSTMASTER" and "REGISTRAR" mailboxes at NIC.DDN.MIL. As appropriate, SRI will redirect electronic mail to GSI. On 1 October 1991 all registration activities will resume.
We hope that the transition and its accompanying changes will not greatly inconvenience network users, and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. For general questions regarding the transition, users may call the new NIC Help Desk after September 1, 1991 at 1-800-365-3642/703-802-4535 or send an e-mail message to nic@diis.ddn.mil.
Security Considerations
Security issues are not discussed in this memo.
Authors' Addresses
Scott Williamson Network Solutions, Inc. 505 Huntmar Park Drive Herndon, VA 22070
Phone: (703) 802-8405
EMail: scottw@DIIS.DDN.MIL
Leslie Nobile Network Solutions, Inc. 505 Huntmar Park Drive Herndon, VA 22070
