This proposal provides for U.S. cognizance of European academic networking plans and activities, and for support of the U.S. segment of a joint United States - French network development project which will, when complete, facilitate interworking between U.S. and European academic and research- support computer networks. By taking out liaison membership in RARE (Reseaux Associes pour la Recherche Europeanne) the Principal Investigator will be eligible to attend (without voting status) both technical and policy meetings of RARE; by both speaking and listening he will be able to apprise RARE members of US networking requirements, to influence RARE recommendations, and to learn at the earliest stage of RARE activities that may affect US networks. RARE, representing high-end users, and ECMA (the European Computer Manufacturers Association) are the two most influential Pan-European bodies influencing computer networking standards and their harmonization. The project also provides for US expenses in joint United States-French development of a gateway that will translate between the US and European versions of the International Standards Organization (ISO) computer networking protocols; without such a gateway, US and European networks will not interoperate even though both "conform to the ISO protocols". Infrastructure funded by the project includes the US share of a 56 kilobit satellite link between the US and France; the link will allow United States and French participants to collaborate in the gateway development, serve as a testbed for the gateway itself, and in addition carry selected routine operational traffic between the US and the RARE community.
