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DDN MGT Bulletin 131             DISA DDN Defense Communications System   
30 July 1993                     Published by: DDN Network Info Center
                                      (NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL)  (800) 365-3642


                        DEFENSE  DATA  NETWORK
                         MANAGEMENT  BULLETIN

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SUBJECT:  ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL) ADDRESS REGISTRATION

References: A.  Defense Message System (DMS) Required Operational Messaging
            Characteristics (ROMC) document (JCS Memorandum, 4 May 93).
            B.  Planning Guide for Defense Data Network (DDN) Subscribers,
            DDN-P70-4, March 1988.
            C.  The Defense Message System (DMS) Target Architecture and
            Implementation Strategy (TAIS), April 1993.
            D.  Defense Data Network User Operating Procedures, 310-P70-81,
            draft.

1.  Throughout the Department of Defense, electronic mail (E-Mail) has 
evolved from a casual, informal way of exchanging information to the stature 
of mission essentiality.  This increased dependence on E-Mail demands that 
it be supported through more exacting, business-like practices.  The 
responsibility to fulfill the day-to-day operational requirements falls 
especially on the providers and maintainers of electronic mail systems 
(i.e., host administrators).  Reference A provides further guidance for 
electronic mail use by the Department of Defense.

2.  The most prevalent causes of today's electronic mail delivery problems 
are incorrect user addresses and failures to find destination host addresses. 
Future directory services under the GOSIP X.500 standards are a solution 
under development by the Defense Message System.  However, our current 
resources, tools, policies, and procedures for user directory and host 
addressing services must be followed and enforced to ensure a reliable 
e-mail environment. 

3.  The Defense Data Network (DDN) Network Information Center (NIC), resident
on the MILNET, is the only centrally available repository of user address
information for the DoD.  The completeness and accuracy of information in the
NIC database is an operational necessity for the conduct of today's DoD
business and is essential for the transition to the DMS architecture. 
Reference B assigns to Host Administrators the responsibility of ensuring 
that their host users are registered in the NIC User Registration database
(WHOIS/NICNAM).  Further clarification has been included in Reference C and
Reference D, whereby the Host Administrators are to continuously monitor the
status of each user and make changes to the user's registration information 
as required.  Reference D has been coordinated with the Services and 
Agencies and is undergoing final preparation prior to the DISA Chief of 
Staff's signature and publication.

4.  All DISN/DDN users (including those on Class B and Class C hosts) are
required to be registered along with their electronic mail address in the NIC
"WHOIS" database.  All DoD hosts with access to/from the DISN/DDN shall also
be registered in the NIC databases.  Services, Agencies, and host
administrators must take appropriate and positive actions to fulfill this
requirement.  Host Administrators must ensure on a continual basis
(recommended at least once every 30 days) that previously registered
information is still accurate and that all new user registrations and 
customer provided updates should be submitted within 24 hours.

5.  In addition, host administrators using the "host.txt" table must update
their local table twice a week to correspond with the updated master table
published at the NIC.  Host administrators must also make certain that the
supplements to their local copy of the table, which accommodate the
(unregistered) addresses frequently used by their local user community, are
updated at the same time.

6.  Request widest possible dissemination.

7.  DISA POC for this topic is Maj David Paciorkowski (DSN 222-2771,
commercial (703) 692-2771), E-Mail: PaciorkD @ cc.ims.disa.mil.