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Campus networking strategies
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Book Reviews Computing Standards: A Practical Guide for Data Processing Management, by John Spencer. Blackwell Scientific Publ., SHELF, L12.95, Oxford, U.K. ISBN: 0-632-01788-0. As the author states up front, "this is not a book for the standards practitioner." To the gain of our readers and many others, the author uses his experience to provide advice to the computing practitioner on the value of standards and how the computing practitioner can plan and install computer standards, The author suggests the creation of a Computing Standards function with the mission to help the DP Manager ensure cost-effective use of computing resources. The approach used requires attention to software standards and to standard methods for constructing and operating information systems. Whether the author sees himself managing technology through the tool, standards, (as apposed to managing standards) is not clear from the book. Certainly, the thrust of his ideas and suggestions amount to exactly that effect and he recognizes the impact of various technological imperatives. For example, he lists the microcomputer among the three factors contributing to the importance of using computing standards. The other two factors, however, indicate a reactive mind-set: "Pressure from non-DP Corporate management" and "The changing role of the traditional DP department." The author convincingly summarizes the cost of NOT having computing standards in areas which most heads of MIS would agree are strategic: staffing, flexibility, speed of development, cheaper maintenance, operational stability, and software portability. Reacting to an immediate and obvious question in today's world of small computer installations and "lights-out" operating environments, the author looks at the smaller installations and suggests ways to meet the needs and goals he has outlined.
The author devotes a chapter to explain the wider context of international, national, regional, etc. in which computing systems must exist. His treatment of IBM as de facto standard setter, while accurate for 1987 when the book was published, is a reminder to the reader about the radical changes being caused by OSI in the information technology industry. And a standard operating system (UNIX being my personal "least likely") in 1987 was inconceivable . In short, the reaction to IBM that the author describes, aided and abetted by the slowing market growth with intense global competition, has resulted in the significant changes we see in 1990. In Part II of the book, the author provides detailed steps for developing a strategy for standards and for initiating the standards function. Part III describes the operational concepts recommended by the author. He includes a Standards Development Cycle which, while similar, differs from the standard Software Engineering Systems Development Life Cycle in important aspects, which requires an explanation but did not get one. For example, should standards have a requirements phase and statement? Finally, the Appendices continue the detailing of computing standards operations by providing useful outlines for the computing standards function, standards development steps, and a computing standards library structure. This valuable book joins Cargill's Information Technology Standardization, the Information Technology Atlas - Europe, and Omnicom's Index of Standards as part of the minimum library for all information technology functions. I hope the publisher will update the book at regular intervals to reflect changes occurring even as you read these words. J.L. Berg
Campus Networking Strategies, by Caroline Arms. Digital Press, Bedford, MA, USA. Illustrated, In-
dex, Appendices, Glossary. ISBN: 1-555-58009-2. North-Holland Computer Standards & Interfaces 10 (1990) 97-98
If any class of organizations gained more from the introduction of microcomputer technology
0920-5489/90/$03.50 © 1990 - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (North-Holland)
98
J.L. Berg / Book Reviews
than the institutions of higher education, it eludes me. On the other hand, if any class of organizations contributed more to microcomputer technology (and the rest of us) in terms of useful applications, it also eludes me. This book relates the progress and status of EDUCOM's Networking and Telecommunications Task Force (NTTF) through a series of papers written by contributors from the participating organizations. This approach permitted the book to develop a very useful and comprehensive statement of the issues which one should include in their planning for networks. Not surprisingly, the Introduction mentions standardization early as a fundamental tool in the management of technology and as the preserver of the school's investments. The Open Systems Interconnection model provides a basis for EDUCOM's open architecture. I think the next issue shared by Universities and corporations is networking economics. As networking expenses grow into a significant percentage of the organization's budget, the choice in strategies seems to move from a network utility, centrally funded, towards various
specific cost-recovery schemes and even towards individual sub-nets, individually funded. T C P / I P protocols are reported to be the most widely used standard. Given the existence of a migration path to OSI, this portends easy acceptance of future OSI options. The individual reports are from Wesleyan University, Dartmouth College, Carnegie Mellon University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Cornell University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, and Pennsylvania State University. Each report summarizes the planning, implementation, technical, and operational aspects of their networks. The section "Protocols and Standards" will have a special interest to Computer Standards & Interfaces readers. It provides a brief but comprehensive summary of the OSI standards history and the various players. The final two sections deal with several wiring solutions and provide a brief description of the national networks. J.L. Berg
Book Reviews Computing Standards: A Practical Guide for Data Processing Management, by John Spencer. Blackwell Scientific Publ., SHELF, L12.95, Oxford, U.K. ISBN: 0-632-01788-0. As the author states up front, "this is not a book for the standards practitioner." To the gain of our readers and many others, the author uses his experience to provide advice to the computing practitioner on the value of standards and how the computing practitioner can plan and install computer standards, The author suggests the creation of a Computing Standards function with the mission to help the DP Manager ensure cost-effective use of computing resources. The approach used requires attention to software standards and to standard methods for constructing and operating information systems. Whether the author sees himself managing technology through the tool, standards, (as apposed to managing standards) is not clear from the book. Certainly, the thrust of his ideas and suggestions amount to exactly that effect and he recognizes the impact of various technological imperatives. For example, he lists the microcomputer among the three factors contributing to the importance of using computing standards. The other two factors, however, indicate a reactive mind-set: "Pressure from non-DP Corporate management" and "The changing role of the traditional DP department." The author convincingly summarizes the cost of NOT having computing standards in areas which most heads of MIS would agree are strategic: staffing, flexibility, speed of development, cheaper maintenance, operational stability, and software portability. Reacting to an immediate and obvious question in today's world of small computer installations and "lights-out" operating environments, the author looks at the smaller installations and suggests ways to meet the needs and goals he has outlined.
The author devotes a chapter to explain the wider context of international, national, regional, etc. in which computing systems must exist. His treatment of IBM as de facto standard setter, while accurate for 1987 when the book was published, is a reminder to the reader about the radical changes being caused by OSI in the information technology industry. And a standard operating system (UNIX being my personal "least likely") in 1987 was inconceivable . In short, the reaction to IBM that the author describes, aided and abetted by the slowing market growth with intense global competition, has resulted in the significant changes we see in 1990. In Part II of the book, the author provides detailed steps for developing a strategy for standards and for initiating the standards function. Part III describes the operational concepts recommended by the author. He includes a Standards Development Cycle which, while similar, differs from the standard Software Engineering Systems Development Life Cycle in important aspects, which requires an explanation but did not get one. For example, should standards have a requirements phase and statement? Finally, the Appendices continue the detailing of computing standards operations by providing useful outlines for the computing standards function, standards development steps, and a computing standards library structure. This valuable book joins Cargill's Information Technology Standardization, the Information Technology Atlas - Europe, and Omnicom's Index of Standards as part of the minimum library for all information technology functions. I hope the publisher will update the book at regular intervals to reflect changes occurring even as you read these words. J.L. Berg
Campus Networking Strategies, by Caroline Arms. Digital Press, Bedford, MA, USA. Illustrated, In-
dex, Appendices, Glossary. ISBN: 1-555-58009-2. North-Holland Computer Standards & Interfaces 10 (1990) 97-98
If any class of organizations gained more from the introduction of microcomputer technology
0920-5489/90/$03.50 © 1990 - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (North-Holland)
98
J.L. Berg / Book Reviews
than the institutions of higher education, it eludes me. On the other hand, if any class of organizations contributed more to microcomputer technology (and the rest of us) in terms of useful applications, it also eludes me. This book relates the progress and status of EDUCOM's Networking and Telecommunications Task Force (NTTF) through a series of papers written by contributors from the participating organizations. This approach permitted the book to develop a very useful and comprehensive statement of the issues which one should include in their planning for networks. Not surprisingly, the Introduction mentions standardization early as a fundamental tool in the management of technology and as the preserver of the school's investments. The Open Systems Interconnection model provides a basis for EDUCOM's open architecture. I think the next issue shared by Universities and corporations is networking economics. As networking expenses grow into a significant percentage of the organization's budget, the choice in strategies seems to move from a network utility, centrally funded, towards various
specific cost-recovery schemes and even towards individual sub-nets, individually funded. T C P / I P protocols are reported to be the most widely used standard. Given the existence of a migration path to OSI, this portends easy acceptance of future OSI options. The individual reports are from Wesleyan University, Dartmouth College, Carnegie Mellon University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Cornell University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, and Pennsylvania State University. Each report summarizes the planning, implementation, technical, and operational aspects of their networks. The section "Protocols and Standards" will have a special interest to Computer Standards & Interfaces readers. It provides a brief but comprehensive summary of the OSI standards history and the various players. The final two sections deal with several wiring solutions and provide a brief description of the national networks. J.L. Berg