For wide-area networking of distributed interactive simulation (DIS) a real-time, resource-reserving, multicast network with appropriate encryption is required. Latency and data volume requirements are described. Standards for DIS communications and their impact on network traffic are explained. Evolutionary history is traced for the current network serving these needs, the Defense Simulation Internet. The most likely path for future expansion of DIS networking uses emerging commercial technologies such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and Internet protocol multicast (IPmc) with resource reservation. The architecture and issues for an ATM network meeting future DIS requirements is described; areas of active research such as compression and multicast grouping are explained.>

A Network Front End (NFE) is a mini-computer which is used to connect a host computer to the communicating network. The purpose of using an NFE, as contrasted to connecting the host computer directly to the network, is to reduce the processing load imparted to the host computer by the network interfacing software. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of the NFE attachment method in relation to the host direct connection method.

The benefits of general-purpose local networks are discussed and the requirements that such networks need to satisfy are defined. A generic network architectural model is described and the major design parameters identified. The role of the local network is to provide network transparency for a multiplicity of computer devices. How well this role is performed is a function of the protocol design and implementation.MITRE's Cablenet is one of several experimental cable-bus networks employing coaxial cable as a shared wideband transmission medium, and using microprocessor based interface units. This paper presents a protocol architecture design based on local network characteristics and the extensive computational capabilities expected from the next generation of microprocessors. We have designed a Flexible Transport Protocol which allows our cable-bus access node to assume a wide range of characteristics; these characteristics can be chosen judiciously to fulfil the needs of a wide spectrum of subscribers.

Distributions of segment sizes have been measured under routine operating conditions on a computer system which utilizes variable-sized segments (the Burroughs B5500). The most striking feature of the measurements is the large number of small segments - about 60% of the segments in use contain less than 40 words. Although the results are certainly not installation-independent, they should be relevant to the design of new computer systems, especially with respect to the organization of paging schemes.

The connection is explained between scheduling problems and colouring the vertices of a graph such that no two adjacent vertices are the same colour, and the minimum number of colours are used. A method of colouring a graph suitable for large scale timetabling problems is described.

A comprehensive system for constructing large university examination timetables using the Atlas computer is described. The method has produced timetables involving well over 1,000 subjects which are superior to those constructed manually.