Units in the University have managed to initiate
distributed networks and networking service organizations that
permit local LANs to connect to campus-wide and national
networks for the most part. Although the network service
providers work well together in many instances to provide
seamless interconnections among the various units, there
remain some lapses in service while energies are sometimes
spent in duplicating other services. It works, although not
always well for everyone. The current level of service,
cooperation, and funding will not carry us to the year 1999.
We have tried, in this document, to make recommendations in
the areas of user support, funding models, security and
reliability, and positioning for future trends that will help
bridge the gaps so that the University can expand its
networking resources in both scope and robustness. The goal of
these recommendations is to help the University reach 1999
with the realized vision of a network which operates as an
effective utility for the campus.
