SUMMARY: IP addresses and NIC

From: David Bath (dtb@otto.bf.rmit.OZ.AU)
Date: Fri May 07 1993 - 13:07:43 CDT


Re IP addresses and the NIC

First off, the helpers
>From tkevans@eplrx7.es.duPont.com Thu May 6 22:53:39 1993
From: tkevans@eplrx7.es.duPont.com (Tim Evans)
>From rlg@ida.org Thu May 6 23:16:30 1993
>From eeikhey@eeiua.ericsson.se Thu May 6 23:22:04 1993
From: eeikhey@eeiua.ericsson.se (Kevin Heagney)
>From markk@internic.net Fri May 7 00:07:12 1993
From: markk@internic.net (Mark Kosters)
>From dbrown@lizzard.med.utah.edu Fri May 7 00:17:44 1993
From: dbrown@lizzard.med.utah.edu (David B. Brown)
>From macphed@dvinci.usask.ca Fri May 7 01:42:37 1993
From: macphed@dvinci.usask.ca (Ian MacPhedran)
>From paul@naicu.edu Fri May 7 01:46:04 1993
From: paul@naicu.edu (Paul A. Hepp)
>From bmecca@wea.com Fri May 7 02:15:07 1993
From: bmecca@wea.com (Buddy Mecca)
>From poc@usb.ve Fri May 7 04:24:02 1993
From: Patrick O'Callaghan <poc@usb.ve>
>From andataco!andataco.com!louis@UCSD.EDU Fri May 7 06:05:23 1993
From: louis@andataco.com
>From fabrice@pure.com Fri May 7 07:24:02 1993
From: fabrice@pure.com (Fabrice Guerini)

Some pointed to appendices F and G in Sun Systems Admin guide, but
admitted they were out of date.

Sites to pick up the forms via anon ftp included
        rs.internic.net
        ftp.rs.internic.net
        munnari.oz.au
General consensus was to look for the "netinfo" directory.

an automated mailserver mailserv@internic.net mailserv@rs.internic.net
        put "get netinfo/internet-number-template.txt" in the subject line
also, mail
        hostmaster@munnari.OZ.AU (for Australia)
        HOSTMASTER@NIC.DDN.MIL (seemed old - 91)
Some sent the forms!

Other replies with useful suggestions included:

tkevans@eplrx7.es.dupont.com (Tim Evans):
You're on the right track. I'd suggest you pick up the O'Reilly
book _TCP/IP Network Administration_ by Craig Hunt. It's a
soup-to-nuts handbook for TCP/IP system managers and tells you
not only everything you think you want to know, but stuff you
don't realize you need to know.

-- 
dbrown@lizzard.med.utah.edu (David B. Brown):
	The new O'Reilly book, The whole Internet users guide ? by Ed Kroll
	should have a good explanation about the whole procedure of getting an
	address.

The following is probably worthwhile posting

The InterNIC ----------------

In cooperation with the Internet community, the National Science Foundation developed and released in the Spring of 1992 a solicitation for one or more Network Information Services Managers (NIS Manager(s)) to provide and/or coordinate services for the NSFNET community. As a result of this solicitation, three separate organizations were competitively selected to receive cooperative agreements in the three areas of Registration Services, Directory and Database Services, and Information Services.

Together these three awards constitute the InterNIC. Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI) provides REGISTRATION services, AT&T provides DIRECTORY and DATABASE services, and General Atomics/CERFnet provides INFORMATION services.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNIC REGISTRATION SERVICES

The InterNIC Registration Services is located at Network Solutions, Inc., Herndon, VA, and is funded by a cooperative agreement from the National Science to provide assistance in registering networks, domains, asn's, and other entities to the Internet community via telephone, electronic mail, and U.S. postal mail.

Registration Services will work closely with domain administrators, network coordinators, internet service providers, and other various users to register Internet domains, asn's, networks.

Databases and information servers of interest to network users are provided, including the WHOIS registry of domains, networks, asn's and their associated poc's. Gopher and Wais interfaces are also available for retrieving information and accessing whois. Online documents maintained at registration services include registration related rfc's, registration templates, and various netinfo files. Many of the online files are available through our automatic mail service, MAILSERV@RS.INTERNIC.NET.

Registration Services will assign asn's, register domains assigns IP network numbers and Autonomous System Numbers, and produce the domain zone files for the community. Registration Services will also provide assistance to user's concerning policy and the status of their existing registration request.

I. USER ASSISTANCE SERVICE

Toll-free telephone service is available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, Eastern Standard time. Users who require assistance concerning policy or registration status questions are encouraged to make use of these services:

Phone Number: 1-703-742-4777

II. NIC ONLINE MAILBOXES

To contact Registration Services via electronic mail 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, use these mailboxes:

HOSTMASTER@RS.INTERNIC.NET Host, domain, network changes and updates ACTION@RS.INTERNIC.NET Computer Operations MAILSERV@RS.INTERNIC.NET Automatic mail service

III. InterNIC Registration Services Postal Address

Send U.S. postal mail correspondence to:

Network Solutions AttN: InterNIC Registration Services 505 Huntmar Park Drive Herndon, VA 22070

IV. REGISTRATION COMPUTER SERVICES

The host computer is a SUN SparcServer, running the SUN operating system, and its hostname is RS.INTERNIC.NET. Its network address is 198.41.0.5.

The network address of Registration Services domain root server is 198.41.0.4.

Online services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

V. DOCUMENTS DISTRIBUTED BY REGISTRATION SERVICES

Registration Services distributes the following documents which are available online.

Title Online Filename

master.index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .policy/master.index

NOTE: In the filenames, the "nn" or the "nnn" should be replaced by the number of the newsletter, bulletin or RFC.

To retrieve a document whose filename is listed above, open an FTP connection to the RS.INTERNIC.NET host, login as user ANONYMOUS and provide the password GUEST. Retrieve the desired file.

VI. ONLINE INFORMATION SERVERS

a. WHOIS

WHOIS is a program that provides an electronic "white pages" of Internet network entities such as domains, network numbers, asn's, and their associated poc's. Accessing WHOIS

>From a host, use the TELNET program to connect to host RS.INTERNIC.NET. When greeted by the Registration host, type "WHOIS" and press RETURN.

c. QUERY CAPABILITIES

Registration Services has implemented Gopher and Wais interfaces to query for information. Using the Gopher Interface, one can obtain information on registration, information and directory services for the InterNIC team. Using gopher one can also access archive data, netinfo files, and policy related documents. The Wais interface enables a user to access the whois database and search for data using a specific search string.

Accessing Gopher and Wais

>From a host, use the TELNET program to connect to host RS.INTERNIC.NET. Type "Gopher" or "Wais" and press RETURN.

e. ROOT DOMAIN NAME SERVER

Registation Services is responsible for generating and installing the DNS files into the NS.INTERNIC.NET root server and the six alternate root servers three times a weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).

VII. ONLINE FILES

Registration Services maintains a number of online files which are available to network subscribers via the file transfer program (FTP) or Kermit. These files contain information about protocols, site personnel, hosts, and other subjects relevant to network users. See the file netinfo/00netinfo-index.txt for an index to the files in the "netinfo" directory. See also the file master.index in the policy directory which lists the rfc's available.

a. How to Retrieve files Using FTP

To retrieve any of the public files via your local FTP program, connect to the RS.INTERNIC.NET host, and log in as ANONYMOUS with password GUEST. FTP program use varies slightly from host to host, so please consult your Host Administrator for instructions, if needed.

b. How to Use the Automated Mail Service

MAILSERV@RS.INTERNIC.NET is an automated service provided by InterNIC Registration Services. It allows access to documents and information via ordinary electronic mail. This is especially useful for users who do not have access to the NIC via a direct Internet link, such as users of BITNET, CSNET and UUCP sites.

To use the mail service, send a mail message to MAILSERV@RS.INTERNIC.NET. In the SUBJECT field, request the type of service you wish followed by any needed arguments. The message body is normally ignored. Large files will be broken into smaller separate messages. The information you request will be sent back to you as soon as possible.

The following services are currently available:

HELP This message; a list of current services. INDEX Returns the master list of available index files. NETINFO xxx xxx is a file name or the word INDEX. RFC nnn nnn is the RFC number or the word INDEX. SEND xxx xxx is a fully specified file name. WHOIS xxx Returns information about xxx from the WHOIS service. Use "WHOIS HELP" for information on how to use WHOIS.

Example SUBJECT lines:

HELP RFC 822 NETINFO DOMAIN-TEMPLATE.TXT SEND RFC: RFC1009.TXT WHOIS NEOU, VIVIAN

Send comments or suggestions to ACTION@RS.INTERNIC.NET.

IX. HOST, DOMAIN, NETWORK NUMBER, IN-ADDR, AND ASN REGISTRATION

Registration is responsible for the registration of domains, IP networks, and autonomous systems numbers (ASNs) used by various organizations connected to the Internet.

Domains are registered via the domain template found in templates/domain-template.txt. New domain information is installed into the seven DNS root servers three times a week. Information regarding the root servers is kept in netinfo/root-servers.txt. Additionally, a listing of the domains registered with Registration Services can be found in netinfo/domain-info.txt. A listing of the netaddresses of the domain servers for individual top-level domains can be found in netinfo/domains.txt.

Network number assignments are made when a network POC completes the template in templates/internet-number-template.txt and returns the template to Hostmaster. A complete listing of government sponsored networks is found in netinfo/networks.txt.

To provide address to hostname reverse resolution, IN-ADDR domains are registered within the domain root servers via an IN-ADDR template sent to the HOSTMASTER mailbox. This template can be found in templates/in-addr-template.txt.

Registration Services assign autonomous system numbers (ASNs) when the template found in netinfo/asn-template.txt is sent to HOSTMASTER@RS.INTERNIC.NET. A complete listing of assigned ASNs is found in netinfo/asn.txt.

>From the domain, network number, and ASN templates, POC information is extracted and individuals that are not already registered are given records in the WHOIS database.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

InterNIC Directory and Database Services

Directory and Database Services, provided by AT&T, includes a Directory of Directories, containing lists of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) sites, lists of various types of servers available on the Internet, lists of white and yellow page directories, library catalogs and data archives. AT&T also provides white and yellow pages type Directory Services. Access to these services is initially provided through several currently popular in-use interface methods while migrating to the use of X.500 technology, the current standard specification for distributed information storage and retrieval.

The database services which AT&T provides include the establishment of Database Services to extend and supplement the resources of the NSFNET, such as databases of contributed materials of common interest to the user community. AT&T also offers database design, management, and maintenance to institutions and groups for inclusion in the Internet.

Detailed contact information for accessing Directory and Database Services electronically is listed below. For general information about InterNIC Directory and Database Services, call or write:

Phone: 908.668.6587 Fax: 908.668.3763 Mail: admin@ds.internic.net

InterNIC Directory and Database Services Server Access

Begining April 1, 1993, the InterNIC Directory and Database server will be freely available to all end users on the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The server is a UNIX processor running SunOS 4.2.1 with host name ds.internic.net. It contains the files and databases which make up the Directory of Directories, Directory Services and Database Services. Several different interfaces are available to allow easy access to these services for both sophisticated and novice users.

WAIS ---- The Wide Area Information Server (WAIS) client/server application (developed by Thinking Machines, Inc. and others) is implemented to allow WAIS searching of text files stored on the server. The server is registered at the central WAIS server maintained by Thinking Machines, Inc. at quake.think.com. Our WAIS server may be accessed by remote WAIS clients or through a local WAIS client available through telnet. Just telnet to ds.internic.net and login as userid "wais". No password is required. This client contains an online tutorial and help information for all commands.

archie ------ The archie system, developed by Bunyip Information Systems, Inc., is also implemented to allow searches of the Directory and Database server directory structure. Archie is accessible through telnet (login as userid "archie", no password required) or electronic mail (send mail to archie@ds.internic.net). Archie's online help facilities are available for the new user.

X.500 DUA and NETFIND --------------------- The X.500 QUIPU Directory Service Agent (DSA) and an X.500 Directory User Agent (DUA) are implemented to allow searching for white pages listings of persons or organizations currently participating in Internet X.500 pilot projects. The DUA may be accessed via telnet by logging in as user "x500". No password is required and online help is provided. The DSA may also be accessed from any remote DUA. A NETFIND client is also available to get information about individuals. Telnet to ds.internic.net and login as user "netfind". Again, no password is required.

Tutorial Telnet Client ---------------------- A special tutorial login is available to allow new users to access any of the online services on the Directory and Database server without the specific login id. Just telnet to ds.internic.net and login as "guest" (no password required). The tutorial will guide the user through the various services and connect him/her to the client they request.

Anonymous FTP ------------- All files accessible through the telnet clients listed above are available using anonymous FTP.

Electronic Mail --------------- An electronic mail application, developed by AT&T, is available which provides batch access to our services. To obtain user information, send mail to mailserv@ds.internic.net and include the command HELP in the body of the message.

Additional access interfaces will be added in the future. For example, the Internet GOPHER will be implemented within a few months. If you are interested in more information about access to Directory and Database Services, contact the Directory and Database Administrator on (908) 668-6587 or send electronic mail to admin@ds.internic.net.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------

InterNIC Information Services

InterNIC Information Services provides services to the NSFNET community under the National Science Foundation supported InterNIC project. A wide range of services are offered to midlevel and campus NIC organizations and to the networking community at large. Included is information about how to get connected to the Internet, pointers to network tools and resources, and seminars on varied topics held in locations around the country.

For a more detailed description of the project, refer to the document "Information Services Project Summary", located in the directory "About Information Services" in the InterNIC Info Source. For a complete listing of Information Services offerings, see the same directory. Access to the Info Source via various methods is described below.

InterNIC Information Services can be contacted by phone, fax, hardcopy mail, and electronically via several access methods. The primary interfaces used by the InterNIC to exchange information with the community are the Referral Desk, the Info Source, and electronic and hardcopy mailing lists. Complete contact information is listed below. Please use any or all of these methods to request information, submit contributions, or make suggestions.

1. The Referral Desk ----------------------

The InterNIC Information Services Referral Desk responds to requests for information about the Internet via telephone, e-mail, FAX, and hardcopy mailings. The Referral Desk can provide listings of Internet Network Providers in the U.S. and abroad; books and documents to assist organizations and individuals in getting connected; and pointers to network tools and resources. When appropriate, contact information for local NIC and NOC organizations will be offered.

The Referral Desk is in operation Monday through Friday, from 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time.

Telephone: 800.444.4345 619.455.4600 FAX: 619.455.3990

E-mail: info@internic.net

Mail:

InterNIC Information Services General Atomics P.O. Box 85608 San Diego, California

2. InterNIC Information Services Mailboxes and Mailing Lists ----------------------------------------------------------------

* mailbox: info@internic.net

The place to send general questions about getting connected to the Internet and how to locate and access information for using the network more effectively. Also for any questions concerning Information Services offerings. Queries sent to this mail-box are answered by the Referral Desk staff.

* mailing list: announce@is.internic.net

An announcements-only mailing list for anyone interested in getting up-to-date information about the InterNIC and the services it provides. Everyone is welcome to subscribe, and network administrators and NIC staff are encouraged to establish local exploders at their institutions for re-distribution of this list. This will be a moderated, announcement-only mailing list, and volume will be low.

send mail to listserv@is.internic.net

in the body of the message type:

subscribe announce your name

* mailing list: nics@is.internic.net

Intended for staff at midlevel, campus, and discipline-specific NICs. Content will include InterNIC services aimed specifically at NICs, and mail sent to this list will be oriented towards providing services to end users, including new training resources and documentation. All NIC staff are encouraged to subscribe. This will be a moderated list, and volume will be low.

send mail to listserv@is.internic.net

in the body of the message type:

subscribe nics your name

* nis@is.internic.net

Formerly nis@cerf.net, this list aims to serve network information service providers and end users. This list is a group effort of people all over the Internet to concentrate announcements of new resources onto one list. It is moderated, and contains only announcements of new tools and resources available over the Internet. The goal is to keep the volume low, therefore this is not a discussion list.

If you would like to stay current on network services without having to read every mailing list, join the nis-list. If you would like more information about participating in the nis-list by becoming a monitor, send a note to scout@internic.net.

send mail to listserv@is.internic.net

in the body of the message type:

subscribe nis your name

* mailbox: scout@internic.net

The place to send information about any new tools or resources on the network for possible distribution on the nis mailing list or inclusion in the Info Source. Also the place to send for information regarding participating in the nis-list by becoming a list monitor.

* hardcopy or electronic mailing list: The InterNIC InterActive

InterNIC Information Services publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, the InterNIC InterActive, covers network information services issues of interest to the entire community, such as tools, resources, training opportunities, and networking organizations. InterNIC InterActive also details existing and new services provided by all three areas of the InterNIC: Information Services, Directory and Database Services, and Registration Services.

To subscribe to the InterNIC InterActive, send a message to interactive-request@internic.net. Please indicate in your message if you would like to receive the newsletter in harcopy format, electronic format, or both.

3. The Info Source ----------------------

The Info Source is a collection of information designed to make finding out about the Internet easier. There are sections for getting started, for NICs, and for general information which may be of interest to everyone. Also included is info on all the services offered by InterNIC Information Services. Browsing the "Info Source Table of Contents" file will provide details on what is available.

In many cases the Info Source contains actual documents on a given topic, and in other cases pointers are given to alternate archives of information. The Info Source contents will be maintained regularly to keep it current, and new information will be added as it becomes available. If you have a document or resource you'd like to submit for inclusion, or a suggestion for a topic which should be included, let us know by sending mail to: scout@internic.net.

There are several ways to access the Info Source, which include FTP, Gopher, e-mail, and telnet.

Accessing the Info Source ---------------------------

The Info Source can be accessed electronically using FTP, telnet, Gopher, WAIS, and e-mail. Below are instructions for each access method. Included under each access method are instructions for retrieving a file which lists the documents available. An overview of each of these tools and how to use them is available under the directory "Learning to Use the Network".

If you have any questions or problems, send mail to info@internic.net or call 800.455.4345.

1. FTP Access ----------------

To retrieve documents from the Info Source using anonymous FTP:

ftp is.internic.net

login: anonymous

password: your e-mail address

cd infosource

get INDEX

The INDEX file contains a complete listing of what's contained in the Info Source so that you can browse for the things you may find useful. After you have identified a document you wish to retrieve, standard FTP commands can be used to retrieve the file, such as change directory (cd), directory listing (dir), and send file (get filename).

2. Gopher Access ----------------

If you have a gopher client, point it at: is.internic.net

If you don't have a Gopher client, telnet to:

is.internic.net

login: gopher

This command will allow you to use the Gopher client on the is.internic.net machine.*

Once in gopherspace you can move up and down the menu system to see what's available. Browsing the "Info Source Table of Contents" on the main menu will let you see the entire heirarchy at a glance. The Table of Contents also indicates where direct links have been established to other Gopher servers.

Copies of documents contained in the Gopher server can be sent to you electronically via e-mail. To receive a copy of a document you are reading:

quit out of the file

type "m" as indicated

type your e-mail address in the space provided

hit enter

continue browsing in gopherspace

* We encourage the installation of a Gopher client on your local host if possible, since this will provide faster and more efficient access to the Info Source and many other archives. To learn more about Gopher and how to acquire the freely accessible Gopher client software, go to "Learning to Use the Network" under the "Getting Started" menu, and look under "CNIDR".

3. Telnet Access ------------------

For individuals without access to a Gopher client, several telnet ports on the is.internic.net machine are configured for direct access to a Gopher client located on that machine. By using this local Gopher client it is possible to browse the menus and documents in the Info Source before moving them to your local host.

To access the Gopher server via the local client:

telnet is.internic.net

login: gopher

Follow the instructions listed above under "Gopher Access". Please also note the footnote at the end of that section regarding acquiring Gopher client software.

4. WAIS ---------

The Info Source is registered in the Directory of Servers and can therefore be accessed through a public WAIS client, or directly by using a WAIS client located on your own host.

source name: internic-infosource

server name: is.internic.net

Another option is to use WAIS through the Gopher Server on the Info Source. To use this option, select "Search the Info Source by Keyword" located on the top level Gopher menu.

5. E-mail Access ------------------

The documents archived in the InterNIC Info Source can be retrieved via electronic mail using a mail-server program running on the is.internic.net machine. The purpose of a mail-server program is to read an e-mail message sent as reqests to the server, decipher the commands located in the body of the message, and execute those commands - which usually entails sending particular files back to the requester in another e-mail message.

To receive complete instructions for using all the commands available from the Info Source mail-server, send mail to:

mailserv@is.internic.net

in the body of the message, type:

send help

To receive a file with the filenames of all documents available from the Info Source mail-server, send to the same address, and in the body of the message type:

INDEX

Note that both upper and lower case syntax will be accepted by the mail-server program for commands. However, when typing filenames, be careful to use the exact case syntax used for the filename.

------------------

As noted above, if you have any questions, problems, or suggestions concerning access to the Info Source, contact the InterNIC Information Services Staff at info@internic.net or 800.444.4345.

-- David T. Bath | Email:dtb@otto.bf.rmit.oz.au (131.170.40.10) Senior Tech Consultant | Phone: +61 3 347-7511 TZ=AEST-10AEDST-11 Global Technology Group | 179 Grattan St, Carlton, Vic, 3153, AUSTRALIA "The robber of your free will does not exist" - Epictetus



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Fri Sep 28 2001 - 23:07:49 CDT