The APANA® Network(tm)
(Last updated - 1 October 1998)
Introduction
A number of members are involved in APANA's national intranet.
Machines on this network are linked using SLIP (Serial Link
Internet Protocol) and PPP (Point-Point Protocol) running over
V.32bis or faster modems (some people are also happily using
V.22bis modems) and the occasional ISDN TA. Modems can be connected
using leased lines or permanent calls on regular lines. There are
currently APANA Intranets(tm) in Adelaide
Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Wollongong, Perth and Sydney, all of which are linked
into the worldwide Internet.
You can also arrange to do (relatively) short duration dialup
SLIP or PPP as an alternative to text-based access to the Internet
via the various APANA(tm) public-access
sites. This allows you to access multimedia Internet information
systems such as the WorldWideWeb much more effectively, without
having to go to the expense of setting up a permanent link.
Why bother?
'cos it's fun! Members of the APANA Intranet(tm) have access to the wealth of services available on
the global Internet. It's a much faster, more interactive way of
keeping in touch with the APANA community, and the wider Internet
than, for instance, UUCP.
Joining in
To join our net you need to be an APANA member - this is easily arranged. Due to APANA's non-commerical
orientation and network Acceptable Use
Policy we cannot accept nodes run on a commercial basis. Get in
touch with your regional contact to arrange the specific connection
details.
Arranging your link
You need to arrange (and pay for!) a telecom line and modem at your
end of your link into the network and at least for a modem at the
hub's end of the network. Most regions now organise the phone line
into the hub for you and payment for it is included in your
membership/connection fees. V.FC (28800 bps) modems or faster are
recommended. If you're particularly affluent, an "On Ramp"
connection is still clearly the way to go. Until such times
as the existing telephones lines are upgraded, the use of 56Kpbs
modems has no real benefits.
Talking Internet Protocol
Other than modems and phone lines, you simply need an IP-capable
computer. You can do SLIP/PPP directly from a UNIX box or set up a
router to do SLIP/PPP and talk to your host over ethernet. The
latter is the approach taken by all current members of the APANA
Internet(tm). To build a router you simply
need any old 286 PC with a floppy drive, a $15 serial board and an
SMC (or WD) ethernet board. The pc-route software is freely
available - we can provide this. Using a separate router is the
preferred approach if you intend to have more than one SLIP/PPP
link.
Making your machine net-friendly
Once you have the basics up and running, you should try to setup
your machine as described in the APANA Internet host guidelines
document. People involved with setting up regional APANA
networks(tm) should also become familiar
with our subnetting guidelines.
Andrew Herbert, with additions by Garry Ford
APANA® is the Registered Trademark of the
Australian Public Access Network Association Inc.
APANA® newsgroups (tm),
APANA® network (tm) and the
APANA® logo (tm) are
trademarks of the Australian Public Access Network Association
Inc.
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