CS176A - Introduction to Computer Communication Networks
Homework Assignment #1 Solutions

1. What is CERNET? Describe what it is, where it is and when was it created. Also, how is it similar to ARPANET in historical significance?

   CERNET is a network set up at CERN that closely resembles The ARPANET in the US. Originally CERNET offered file transfer at 2 Mb/s over serial lines as well as remote login. It is similar to ARPANET in that it was Europe's precursor to the Internet.

   Also acceptable is CERNET in China, or any other CERNET that was found and has some relationship to the Internet.

2. Choose a user service you are familiar with such as FTP, DNS or SMTP. Give a brief history of the service. Find out who or what created it, when it was created and describe its original purpose.

   Any user service is fine, for example DNS, IMAP, SMTP, SNMP, FTP, HTTP, or POP.

3. MAE (Metropolitan Area Ethernet) is a collection of NAP's owned by a large telecommunications company. Find out which major company it is. Also, list at least 4 MAE sites and the areas they cover along with the services they provide.

   MAE is owned by MCI. There are MAE's in the East, West, Central US as well as Los Angeles, Paris, and Frankfurt. MAE East covers Vienna, VA, Reston, VA, Ashburn, VA and NY, NY and offers Frame Relay and ATM services. MAE west is in' San Jose CA and offers Frame Relay and ATM services. MAE Central covers Dallas, TX Westmont, IL and Atlanta, GA and also offers Frame Relay and ATM Services. MAE Los Angeles, Paris and Frankfurt are located in there respective areas and offer only LAN service.

4. Go to the IETF website, find RFC1149 and read it. What is the RFC describing? If it's not obvious from the RFC, use the internet to find out what it is. Also, find out if it has been implemented. If so, who did it and what were the results?

   RFC1149 is called Avian IP and outlines packet switching using carrier pigeons. Originally meant as an April Fool's joke but it was actually implemented on April 28th, 2001 in Norway an the first ping packet was received in 6165 seconds.