In order to match the address scheme of RENATER (the French Research network), we have recently changed our Internet network address. Our network which corresponds to a Class C Internet address format ( 193.48.252.*) has been split into 3 sub-networks, one for the Plateau de Bure and two for Grenoble. In such an operation, host addresses, which would have corresponded to the fourth subnet, cannot be used.
Subnets at Bure and at Grenoble are linked via routers, modems and a permanent line with a bandwidth of 19 kbps. The router at Grenoble also connects our subnets to the World Internet via the next node on grenet.fr. The next operation has been to install a name server and to obtain an internationally recognized domain name. The domain name of our network is iram.fr with a primary name server on iraux2.iram.fr. Any machine on our network can be called (e.g. with ftp, telnet ...) by either its Internet address number or its domain name (for instance 193.48.252.22 or iraux2.iram.fr).
Mail routing facilities have been installed on all UNIX workstations. Messages can be sent or received from any station. However we suggest to use the common mail address iram.fr to contact a person at Grenoble (the received mail message will be seen from any station at Grenoble). For the Plateau de Bure the address is iraux3.iram.fr.
With these new possibilities of connectivity we made available the Astrophysics Data System. Catalog services and abstract database are of great use for the scientists.
Mosaic, a user-friendly software distributed by the US National Center for Supercomputer Applications is now available. It is a distributed hypermedia system designed for information discovery and retrieval over Internet and in particular to the World-Wide Web (WWW), an information system based on hypertext. We have installed a WWW server on iraux2.iram.fr in order to test the potential possibilities of this new concept and to make available IRAM information, data and scientific results. For WWW experts the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of this server is http://iram.fr/iram.html. I will be pleased to hear any comment about this attempt or to assist anyone in accessing this prototype server.
Alian PERRIGOUARD