International Networking and the NAP Architecture BOF (INAPARCH)

Reported by Tony Villasenor/NASA

The INAPARCH BOF met twice on 5 December to discuss the international
implications of the change from the NSFNET backbone service to the NAP
Architecture.  The BOF was chaired by Tony Villasenor of NASA.


Agenda

   o Overview of current NSFNET transition plans and status.

   o Discussion of current plans for US Federal networks during and
     after NSFnet transition.

   o Discussion of current plans for non-US networks that currently have
     traffic carried via the NSFnet.

   o Summary/Recommendations/Actions


Background

The NSFNET Backbone Service is scheduled to be turned off on 1 April
1995.  To aid the Federal networks transition to the new Network Access
Point (NAP) architecture, the Federal Networking Council (FNC) asked the
Federal Engineering Planning Group (FEPG) to develop a transition plan.
An initial plan has been developed that addresses mission agency
concerns about uninterrupted, reliable service.  This initial plan can
be found at URL:

     http://rrdb.merit.edu/transpage.html

To satisfy mission agency needs, the FIXen will continue to act as the
primary Federal interconnects.  Route servers will be installed at both,
and connections to Network Service Providers will be arranged.  The FEPG
will be continuing to develop the Federal transition plan in response to
evolving agency needs and the evolution of the NAP architecture.


Problem Statement

Some international research and development networks connect through the
FIXen.  Some of these networks would like to begin routing commercial
traffic.  International networks can connect on the east coast at
MAE-East or the New Jersey NAP, but similar interconnects on the west
coast are not considered to be as reliable at this stage.  Further,
there are concerns about peering agreements between NSPs and whether
they will continue to route transit traffic across the US.


Obstacles

The FIXen will continue to be constrained by the current AUP. The FIXen
will not be able to incur costs to give international networks
connectivity to the US. The west coast interconnects may not be ready by
the time the NSFNET backbone service is discontinued.


Solution

Current AUP compliant links will continue at the FIXen.  Those wishing
to carry non-AUP traffic will be able to migrate to any of the current
east coast interconnects.

On the west coast, a MAE-West will be created as an interconnect for
non-AUP traffic.  This site will be co-located at the FIX-West facility
and will grant connectivity on a cost recovery basis.

While transit traffic is a concern, this is a matter of NSP policy, not
Federal policy.  Agreements between the international networks and their
NSP will have to worked out individually as will Federal transit
traffic.