The Information Sciences Institute (ISI) of the University of Southern California using its extensive experience with computer communication protocols and software, propose to continue their efforts in aiding the foundation's efforts to provide a reliable and robust research network for scientists and engineers, NSFNET. ISI proposes to do work in two areas: The first area is protocol engineering. The particular requirements of the NSFnet user community as well as the general need to resolve outstanding difficulties in the Internet architecture will require the design, testing, and standardization of new protocols, modifications to existing protocols, and further documentation and clarification of the underlying Internet architecture. Examples of protocols which need protocol engineering work for NSFnet include: routing protocols, gateway monitoring protocols, network file protocols, transaction protocols, and remote job entry protocols. Within budgetary limitations, ISI proposes to perform protocols engineering in the first two of these areas. In addition, ISI proposes to continue documentation and standardization of protocols and architecture. The second area encompasses technical planning and coordination activities which are directly relevant to NSFnet development. These activities include participation on key technical planning bodies for NSFnet and for the general Internet, as well as direct advice to NSF.
