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RFC 335 UNKNOWN OPERATIONS · HARDWARE

New Interface - IMP/360

UCSB upgraded its computer's connection to the ARPANET

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PUBLISHED
May 1972
AUTHORS
R.F. Bryan
STREAM
Legacy
UPGRADE DATE
May 1, 1972
COMPUTER MODEL
IBM System/360-75
SIMILAR UNITS AT
NASA Ames, USC
DOI
10.17487/RFC0335

RFC text

Original text · RFC Editor View on rfc-editor.org ↗ 
Network Working Group                        UCSB Computer
NIC #9928                                    Research Lab.
RFC #335                                     Roland F. Bryan
                                             1 May 1972



                         NEW INTERFACE-IMP/360



     The former interface to the network for our 360-75 was replaced
by a production unit similar to the NASA- AMES and USC versions.  This
controller went into operation 1 May 1972.

     We would be pleased to hear of any difficulties network users
encounter, while operating with UCSB, that might be related to this
unit.

     Thank you.










       [ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
       [ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the   ]
       [ direction of Alex McKenzie.                   12/96   ]

AI ELI5

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PROBLEMUCSB's 360-75 mainframe's original interface to the ARPANET had been in use and needed replacement with a production unit.
MECHANISMOn May 1, 1972, UCSB replaced its IMP interface with a new production unit similar to those already deployed at NASA Ames and USC, putting the new hardware into operation that same day.
PRODUCTION HARDWARE DEPLOYMENTThe ARPANET gained a more reliable connection at UCSB. The new interface was a standard production model proven at other sites.

§1UCSB's Network Interface Upgrade

On May 1, 1972, the UCSB Computer Research Lab announced that it had replaced the network interface on its IBM System/360-75 mainframe. The old interface was replaced with a production unit, similar to those already installed and operating at NASA Ames and USC.

UCSB got a new box to connect its computer to the network, just like the ones NASA and USC were using.

§2Rollout and Support

The new interface unit went into operation on May 1, 1972. As a precautionary measure, Roland F. Bryan and the UCSB Computer Research Lab asked network users to report any difficulties they encountered while operating with UCSB that might be related to the new interface. This invitation for feedback ensured that any problems could be quickly identified and addressed.

The new connection started working right away, and UCSB asked people to say if anything went wrong so they could fix it.

§3Production Hardware Standards

The new interface was a production unit, not an experimental one, and was similar to units already deployed and proven at two other major ARPANET sites: NASA Ames and the University of Southern California (USC). Using standardized, tested hardware from the same production line meant that UCSB could benefit from the operational experience and fixes from these other sites.

The new equipment was the same kind that worked well at other schools, so UCSB knew it was good.