The ITT/NET is an internal corporate network built to satisfy the distributed programming requirements of ITT technology and engineering communities. This paper describes the network: its goals, its architecture, its operational environment and prototype development activities.

Computer networks provide the basic mechanism for accessing programs and data. Effective use of networks requires appropriate protocols to preserve the meaning of data being transmitted between heterogeneous systems. Currently existing protocols were developed to support the requirements of scientists and engineers. Information processing support, for example remote database access, requires substantially more sophisticated protocols. This paper describes a spectrum of data sharing protocols, identifies the need for a Structure Transport Protocol (STP), describes the nature of an STP, and discusses its utilization in the context of remote database access.

Efficient scheduling of jobs for computer systems is a problem of continuing concern. The applicability of scheduling methodology described in the operations research literature is severely restricted by the dimensionality of job characteristics, the number of distinct resource types comprising a computer system, the non-deterministic nature of the system due to both interprocess interaction and contention, and the existence of a multitude of constraints effecting job initiation times, job completion times, and job interactions. In view of the large number of issues which must be considered in job scheduling, a heuristic approach seems appropriate. This paper describes an initial implementation of such an approach based upon a fast, analytically driven, performance prediction tool.

Inevitably, the author of a pioneering work faces a difficult task. In a volatile field such as performance analysis, this difficulty is increased by the likelihood that techniques which were reasonably new at the time the author commenced writing the book, will be well known by the time of its appearance and review. Unfortunately, the book by Mr. Drummond has fallen prey to this possibility. As a result, the user will find the book to contain a wealth of useful, historical information; however, it is unlikely that the user will feel, upon concluding the book, that he has the field of performance "in hand." To provide context for this comment, let us begin by citing the contents of the book.