NIC Move: Statement of upcoming move of NIC/NLS service
Relocation of the Network Information Center services to TYMSHARE
Ferguson, B., "Statement of upcoming move of NIC/NLS service", RFC 609, DOI 10.17487/RFC0609, January 1974, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc609>.
@misc{rfc609,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 609,
howpublished = {RFC 609},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0609},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc609},
author = {B. Ferguson},
title = {{Statement of upcoming move of NIC/NLS service}},
pagetotal = 2,
year = 1974,
month = jan,
} RFC text
Upcoming Move of NIC/NLS Services
RFC # 609 Bill Ferguson
NIC # 21339 SRI-ARC
Jan. 10, 1974
Statement of Upcoming Move of NIC/NLS Services
Within the next few weeks we will be transferring computer services for
our ROME, ARPA, and NIC users from the ARC/NIC system to a new system we
are installing at TYMSHARE in Cupertino, Ca. The name of this system is
OFFICE-1 and is site 53 (oct) when talking to TELNET or site 43 (dec)
when talking to a TIP. Currently we are experiencing hardware
difficulties on this system, but we and the staff at TYMSHARE are
working diligently to solve the problems. Once the hardware is solid and
reliable, the above users will have their directories transferred to the
OFFICE-1 facility, and receive their NLS power from that site. Watch for
upcoming announcements as to the exact date when your directory will be
moved to OFFICE-1.
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On this page
§1The Move
The Network Information Center (NIC) was the central repository for ARPANET documentation, standards, and network administration information. Its NLS (oN-Line System) provided users with an online interface to query and retrieve network information.
In early 1974, the NIC and NLS operations were being transferred from the existing ARC/NIC system (at SRI-ARC) to a new system called OFFICE-1, which would be installed at TYMSHARE in Cupertino, California. This was a significant operational shift affecting every user of the network's central information service.
The group that keeps the network's instruction manual was moving to a new computer at a different location.
§2Timeline and Hardware Challenges
The RFC indicates the move would happen "within the next few weeks" of the January 1974 publication date. However, the authors note that TYMSHARE was experiencing hardware difficulties with the OFFICE-1 system at that time. Rather than rush the transfer, the plan was to stabilize the hardware first, then move user directories when reliability was confirmed.
In the ARPANET, network nodes were identified by different numbers in different contexts: OFFICE-1 was site 53 in octal notation (for TELNET) or site 43 in decimal notation (for TIP connections). This notation difference was a common source of confusion in early network administration.
The new computer was having some problems at first. Rather than move right away, they decided to fix the problems first, then move people's files when it was working well.
§3Communicating with Users
The RFC is itself a notification to ARPANET users that major system changes were coming. Users—including those relying on NIC information services, ROME users, and ARPA users—were advised to watch for future announcements specifying the exact date when their directories and data would be transferred to the OFFICE-1 system at TYMSHARE.
This kind of advance notice was essential in an era before widespread automated system migrations. Network operators needed time to prepare, and users needed warning that their access patterns and connection endpoints might change.
They told everyone in advance so people wouldn't be surprised when the service moved to a new place.