************************************************************************ DDN MGT Bulletin #129 DISA DDN Defense Communications System 15 July 1993 Published by: DDN Network Info Center (NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL) (800) 365-3642 DEFENSE DATA NETWORK MANAGEMENT BULLETIN The DDN MANAGEMENT BULLETIN is distributed online by the DDN Network Information Center under DISA contract as a means of communicating official policy, procedures and other information of concern to management personnel at DDN facilities. Back issues may be read through the TACNEWS server ("@n" command at the TAC) or may be obtained by FTP (or Kermit) from the NIC.DDN.MIL host [192.112.36.5] using login="anonymous" and password="guest". The pathname for bulletins is ddn-news/ddn-mgt-bulletin-nn.txt (where "nn" is the bulletin number). ************************************************************************ MILNET Packet Switching Node (PSN) and Terminal Access Controller (TAC) Node Site Coordinator Validation and Registration This policy for DDN MILNET NSC template updates will be released in a forthcoming CONUSMILNETSTA for Service Agency DDN Program Manager assistance in obtaining this information for MILNET PSN and TAC locations which do not have e-mail capabilities. This Management Bulletin provides guidance regarding the validation and registration process for all Packet Switch Nodes (PSNs) and TACs. This MILNET-wide registration will include all PSNs and TACs and will ensure that the Node Site Coordinator point of contact information for each PSN and TAC is kept current. The following topics will be covered: 1) Validation and registration procedures 2) Importance of timely submission of NSC registration templates 3) New format for NSC registration templates 4) Validation and re-registration schedule 5) DDN NIC contact information 1. Validation and Registration Procedures During this period, the records for all PSNs and TACs will be added, updated, or deleted, as required. 1.1 Process Twice annually, the DDN NIC Re-registration Coordinator will initiate the process by sending each Node Site Coordinator and TAC Coordinator an NSC template containing the information that is currently stored in the WHOIS database for that PSN or TAC. These templates will be sent according to the schedule provided in Section 4. Each Node Site Coordinator and TAC Coordinator will be required to validate the information on the NSC template, make any necessary changes, and return the template to the DDN NIC. Upon receipt of the updated NSC template, the NIC will process the template and update the WHOIS database. 1.2 Importance of Following Instructions It is IMPERATIVE that Coordinators adhere to the guidelines and instructions provided to them with their NSC template. Deviations from these instructions will result in processing delays and/or rejection of the templates. Because the data is automatically parsed from the templates by software designed exclusively for that purpose, the standard NSC registration template must not be altered in any way, and the data provided for each template field must be entered in the correct format. NSC templates that are returned to the NIC in an unacceptable format will be sent back to the Node Site Coordinator for correction. 1.3 Transmitting NSC Templates to the NIC When returning the updated NSC template to the NIC, each Coordinator should clearly identify the file as "NSC Re-Registration Information" in the subject line of each message. This will ensure that the files are processed as a re-registration. 2. Importance of Timely Submission of User Registration Templates All Node Site and TAC Coordinators will be given a maximum of three (3) weeks from the day they receive their template to make the necessary additions, deletions and revisions and to resubmit the data to the NIC for processing. If the NIC does not receive the updated NSC template after three weeks have elapsed, the MILNET Manager will intervene. If problems are encountered contact the NIC immediately for assistance. 3. New Format for NSC Registration Templates A new NSC Registration Template has been prepared to standardize and expedite the validation and registration process. Use of this new template will help to ensure that the NIC receives complete and reliable information about each PSN and TAC in a format that can be processed quickly and accurately by the registration software. This template is available, along with instructions and examples, from the DDN NIC via anonymous FTP. Connect to the NIC and log on with username "anonymous" and password "guest". Change to the directory and request the file by executing a getfile procedure for filename at the prompt. During re-registration, the NIC will provide a data file in the new template format. A blank template, obtained as described above, should be used to update coordinator information during the time between the semi-annual NIC re-registration of your node. Coordinator changes should be reported to the NIC within 24 hours of information being available. Only submit templates in the new template format. Old templates cannot be used because they contain information that can only be changed by the Network Change Request/Directive (NCR/NCD) process. 4. Validation and Registration Schedule The PSN and TAC re-registration schedule has been established alphabetically, by first letter of the official PSN name. The TAC(s) that is connected to the PSN will be re-registered at the same time. PSN/TAC Registration Schedule (Alphabetical by PSN name) | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | | ABC | DEFG | HIJKLM | NOPQR | STUVWXYZ | --- | 5. DDN NIC Contact Information For general information and template file transmission, send electronic mail to HOSTMASTER@NIC.DDN.MIL: or contact the DDN NIC Help Desk at: 1-800-365-DNIC (within the continental U.S.) or (703) 802-4535 (in the Washington DC metropolitan area or outside the continental U.S.) All re-registration templates should be sent via electronic mail to: REREG@NIC.DDN.MIL; Info to: MILNETMGR@DDN-CONUS.DDN.MIL and DB-ADMIN@CMSC.DDN.MIL ** NOTE ** Whenever you leave a message for one of the contacts listed above, please be sure to include a COMMERCIAL phone number if possible. The DDN NIC does not have DSN capability. Procedural information relating to this NSC template registration policy should be addressed to the DDN MILNET Manager, Mr. McDaniel, DSN 222-7580 or COML (703) 692-7580, e-mail address: MILNETMGR@DDN-CONUS.DDN.MIL.