Uninet-ZA is linked to the Internet by a 128kb digital line running over fibre (i.e. not satellite) that connects Rhodes University in Grahamstown to ICMnet-Atlantic in Washington D.C. This link has been in place since February 18th 1994. Prior to that, the link was 64kb through satellite.
Internally, the major networking centres - Cape Town, Grahamstown, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria - are redundantly connected by 64kb digital links. The smaller, or outlying, centres connect to the regional hubs over dedicated 9600bd analogue lines or 64kb digital links. These links are under review, and may be upgraded in the near future.
There are several dialup uucp gateways to commercial sites in South Africa, as well as to FidoNet and to sites in neighbouring Southern African countries.
The Uninet office at the Foundation for Research Development has an active commitment to Southern African networking, and is prepared to assist with connections in the sub-continent and further afield.
The contact at FRD is Mike Lawrie, who may be reached by e-mail at mlawrie@frd.ac.za
These sites are all connected via TCP/IP:
Albany Museum, Grahamstown - amwd@giraffe.ru.ac.za Cape Technikon, Cape Town - postmaster@maxwell.ctech.ac.za Computing Centre for Water Research, Pm'burg - postmaster@aqua.ccwr.ac.za Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - postmaster@wabe.csir.co.za Elsenburg Agricultural Research Inst, Stel. - postmaster@elsburg.els.agric.za Forestek, Nelspruit - postmaster@fornel.csir.co.za Foundation for Research Development, Pretoria - uninet@frd.ac.za Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory - postmaster@bootes.hartrao.ac.za Hermanus Magnetic Observatory - postmaster@magnet.csir.co.za Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria - postmaster@ludwig.hsrc.ac.za Institute for Commercial Forestry Research - postmaster@gis1.icfrnet.unp.ac.za Institute for Fruit Technology, Stell. - postmaster@infruit.inf.agric.za Institute for Maritime Technology, C.T. - postmaster@imt.za Medical Research Council, Bellville, Cape - postmaster@mrc.ac.za Medical University of South Africa, Pretoria - postmast@mcd4330.medunsa.ac.za Mintek, Randburg - postmaster@minmet.mintek.ac.za Natal Technikon, Durban - postmaster@rubicon.ntech.ac.za National Accelerator Center, Faure, Cape - postmaster@nacdh4.nac.ac.za National Botanical Institute, Pretoria - postmaster@nbigis.nbi.ac.za Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute - postmaster@ovisun.ovi.ac.za Peninsula Technikon, Cape - postmaster@pentech.ac.za Potchefstroom University - postmaster@pukvm1.puk.ac.za Port Elizabeth Technikon - postmaster@ed.petech.ac.za Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit, Johannesburg - postmaster@rauteg.rau.ac.za [*] Rhodes University, East London Campus - postmaster@lark.ru.ac.za Rhodes University, Grahamstown - postmaster@ru.ac.za [*] SABINET, Pretoria - postmaster@web.sabinet.co.za [*] St Andrews College, Grahamstown - postmaster@sirius.ru.ac.za Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Cape Town - postmaster@sfri.sfri.ac.za South African Astronomical Observatory, C.T. - postmaster@saao.ac.za South African Library, Cape Town - postmaster@salib.salib.ac.za South African Weather Bureau, Irene - postmaster@cirrus.sawb.za Stellenbosch University - postmaster@sunvax.sun.ac.za Technikon OVS/OFS, Bloemfontein - postmaster@studm.tofs.ac.za Technikon Pretoria - postmaster@janus.techpta.ac.za Technikon RSA, Johannesburg - postmaster@laizy.trsa.ac.za Technikon Witwatersrand, Johannesburg - postmaster@twr2.twr.ac.za University of Cape Town - postmaster@ucthpx.uct.ac.za University of Durban Westville, Durban - postmaster@pixie.udw.ac.za University of Fort Hare, Alice, Ciskei - postmaster@cd4380.ufh.ac.za University of Natal, Durban - postmaster@und.ac.za University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg - postmaster@unpsun1.cc.unp.ac.za University of Port Elizabeth - postmaster@dolphin.upe.ac.za University of Pretoria - postmaster@up.ac.za University of South Africa, Pretoria - postmaster@risc1.unisa.ac.za University of the Orange Free State, Bloem. - postmaster@uovsvm1.uovs.ac.za University of Venda - postmaster@cotton.univen.ac.za University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape - postmaster@uwcunx.uwc.ac.za University of the Witwatersrand - postmast@witsvma.wits.ac.za University of Transkei, Umtata, Transkei - postmaster@unitrix.utr.ac.za University of Zululand, Empangeni - postmaster@unizul1.uzulu.ac.za
SABINET is the subscription based South African Bibliographic Network. Most subscribers to this service are institutional libraries.
St Andrews is a private high school with a Novell LAN that has TCP/IP and email links to the Internet via Rhodes University.
University of the North, Vaal Triangle Technikon, Vista University, SANGONET.Negotiations are in progress between Uninet-ZA and:
University of Bophuthatswana, ML Sultan Technikon, Kwazulu Epidemiology and Health Information Services, Dept of National Education, Mangosuthu Technikon, Dept of National Health and Population Development, Dept of Environment Affairs, University of Swaziland.Thinking about it:
Northern Transvaal Technikon, Transkei Technikon, Border Technikon.
There are dialup or X.25 based uucp links, and some dedicated TCP/IP links between Uninet-ZA and some commercial sites, which collectively form a loose network known as Sanet. Sketchy details of their connectivity are available in the "u.zaf.1" section of the uucp mapping project - available in irregular postings to the Usenet newsgroup "comp.mail.maps". For further information, contact Mark Elkins at Olivetti Africa (mje@olsa99.olivetti.za) or Aris Stathakis (aris@unisup1.mpd.co.za).
For more information about The Internet Solution, phone (011) 789-6071 or send email to info@is.co.za.
For more information about Ticsa, phone (021) 419-2768, or send email to info@ticsa.com.
The following list of organisations gleaned from the uucp maps, DNS zone files, postings to Usenet, and other sources is most likely incomplete, and possibly incorrect. However, it isn't easily available elsewhere. Feedback on misleading or incorrect entries is welcomed. Many of these are now on the Internet (marked with an "*").
Note that some of these organisations offer public or commercial access to mail/news in the relevant urban area.
Africa Interconnect, C.T. (mail+news) postmaster@afrint.co.za Argus Group, Jbg (Newspaper publishers) postmaster@star4.argus.co.za Aztec Information Managenent, C.T. * postmaster@aim1.aztec.co.za Bloemfontein Padworks (Pty), Bloem postmaster@spanner.ofsroads.co.za BTR Dunlop, Dbn (Industrial holdings) postmaster@dunpyr.btrd.co.za C Users Group, Pta postmaster@silmaril.cug.co.za Cape Town City Council postmaster@ctcc.co.za Catalyst BBS, P.E. (mail+news) hwolsink@catpe.alt.za Communica (Electronic component suppliers) postmaster@comca1.communica.co.za Compustat, C.T. (commercial email) * steve@cstat.co.za Cyberaccess cc, C.T. (commercial IP access provider) support@cybernet.za Dimension Data, Jbg (networking) postmaster@didata.co.za Duxbury Transmision Eqpt, Cape, (EE manf) robert@duxburycape.co.za Electronic Media Networks (Subscription TV) postmaster@corp2.mnet.co.za Eskom, Jbg (Electricity supply utility) * postmaster@duvi.eskom.co.za Europe Assistance Emergency Travel Insurance * chris@rupeden.eurassi.co.za Executive Communications, Pta (Radio paging) * postmaster@execom.co.za First National Batteries, Benoni (Manf) postmaster@fnbat1.fnbat.co.za Free Range Comp Systems, Pta (comms services) * paul@frcs.alt.za GommaGomma, Pta (Furniture manufacturers) postmaster@gomma1.gomma.co.za Hi-Performance Systems, Jbg (HP agents) * postmaster@netsys.hipsys.co.za Infoplan, Cape postmaster@iplan.co.za Infoware * postmaster@infoware.co.za Intnl Seismic Surveys Inc, Welkom (consult.) postmaster@frgiss3.frg.issi.co.za Internet Solution, Jbg (IP+Dialup connections)* postmaster@apollo.is.co.za Internetworking Cape, C.T. (IP+Dialup access) * info@inca.za Investec Property Group, Jbg postmaster@kcms.ipgis.co.za IO Systems, Jbg (Unix education/consulting) * postmaster@svr4dev.iosys.co.za Lasernet, Jbg (SCO support) aris@unisup1.lasernet.co.za LinkData, Claremont postmaster@linkdata.co.za MacLove Computer Systems, Jbg (MCBA agents) postmaster@mc486.maclove.co.za Malachite Electronic Systems, CT andrew@malachite.co.za Megabyte Digital Comms, Jbg (Comms consulting) postmaster@proxima.alt.za Micro & Peripheral Distributors, Jbg * postmaster@unisup1.mpd.co.za Netsys International, Pta postmaster@inetsys.alt.za Olivetti Africa, Jbg postmaster@olsa99.olivetti.za Paradigm Systems Technology, Pta postmaster@silmaril.paradigm.co.za Perseus Computer Systems, Jbg (Data General) postmaster@persys.perseus.co.za Plessey-Tellumat, CT (Electronics) pressinger@plessey.co.za Posix, Pta (commercial mail/news) postmaster@mje99.posix.co.za Rascal Systems postmaster@rascal.co.za Realtime (Progress Distributors) * postmaster@realtime.co.za SPL (Software developers) * postmaster@spl.co.za SQL Integrators * postmaster@sqlint.co.za Standard Merchant Bank, Jbg (Standard Bank) postmaster@server2.smb.co.za Stellar Systems, Harare, Zimbabwe postmaster@stellar.zw Synergy Computing, C.T. (PowerHouse agent) postmaster@ptns.synergy.co.za Telkom, Jbg (National PTT) postmaster@telkom.co.za The Star, Jbg (Daily newspaper) * postmaster@star.argus.co.za Tradenet, Jbg postmaster@tradenet.co.za Transvaal Pressed Nuts & Bolts, Alberton (manf) postmaster@tvlpnb.co.za Uniforum SA, Jbg postmaster@ufrmsa1.olivetti.za Unique Technology, Midrand (SCO support) kevin@support.utekza.co.za Unix Information Systems, C.T. postmaster@uiscpt.uis.co.za Van Zyl Eng Bureau, C.T. (EE consulting) mwvz@vzeb.co.za Vector Computers, Jbg (Sun agents) * postmaster@vector.vector.co.za Vironix Corporation, Dbn * postmaster@vironix.co.za Wearcheck, Pinetown (Oil analysis lab) postmaster@wearchk.co.za Worknet Information Assocn, Jbg (NGO support) postmaster@worknet.alt.za Zeus Software, Pta hendrik@zeusa.co.zaDetails of these domains are unknown, but they are registered and accept email:
acs.co.za alpha.co.za bokomo.co.za bpsa.co.za cat.co.za cghb.co.za cloud.co.za ct.co.za data.co.za datavert.co.za digitec.co.za dynagen.co.za esd.co.za glaxo.co.za greensense.co.za iba.co.za infodoor.co.za integrated.co.za itech.co.za ivan.co.za jdg.co.za mim.co.za naspers.co.za netline.co.za quantum.co.za rmb.co.za rrs.co.za scs.co.za tdmine.co.za telkor.co.za uniflex.co.zaOne of the commercial customers of Compustat is:
Cape Bar (Assocn of lawyers in Cape Town) steve@huguenot.mhs.cstat.co.za
The alt.za zone is also intended to cater for private individuals, or hobbyists not involved with FidoNet.
On the academic front, there are FidoNet links to:
University of Malawi, Blantyre - postmaster@f1.n7231.z5.fidonet.org University of Mauritius, Port Louis - Mukesh.Soocheta@f1.n726.z5.fidonet.org University of Zambia, Lusaka - mbennett@f1.n761.z5.fidonet.org
National University of Lesotho, Roma - postmaster@thebe.nul.ls
University of Botswana, Gaberone - postmaster@motswedi.ub.bw
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique - postmaster@dzowo.uem.mz
University of Namibia, Windhoek - postmaster@grumpy.cs.unam.na
(via grimsel.frcs.alt.za)
University of Swaziland, Mbabane - postmaster@attic.alt.sz
University of Zimbabwe, Harare - postmaster@zimbix.uz.zw
The National University of Lesotho are upgrading their email system
from the current DOS based PC, to a 386bsd multi-user unix system.
When this system is commissioned, the primary contact address will
change.
The University of Zambia are experimenting with a uucp link, and are masquerading as "unza.ru.ac.za" - mail to root@unza.ru.ac.za may elicit a response. Currently, the preferred method of contact is via the Fidonet link.
Note that these are all dialup links, usually 2400 baud, and the phone calls are, in most cases, being paid for by the remote site. Vast volumes of trivial email could cause financial woe to the recipents.
Telkom will rent subscribers Minitel terminals, and also sell PC compatible communications and emulation software.
In addition to the standard hierarchies, the full "aus", "bionet", "bit" (a comprehensive selection of gatewayed LISTSERV mailing lists), "eunet", "info" (a selection of Internet based mailing lists), "gnu", "k12", and "vmsnet" hierarchies are imported. A conscious decision was made to obtain as full a feed as possible so as to minimize administrative hassle and end-user backchat about censorship.
The regional news hierarchy is "za", and it contains several newsgroups devoted to Southern African issues. In addition, some institutions have their own local news hierarchies. "za" is distributed outside South Africa, and interested persons may be able to arrange a newsfeed by contacting Randy Bush - randy@psg.com.
Issues relating to networking connectivity (or otherwise), policy arguments, and general queries are currently discussed in the newsgroup "za.net.misc". Other newsgroups are:
za.ads.jobs Looking for a job?/Offering a job? za.ads.lifts Want a lift from Bulawayo to Cape Town via Durbs? za.ads.misc For sale/to swap/wanted to buy za.archives Who's got what, where... and how... za.culture.xhosa Ingxoxo ngolwini, amasiko nezithete zakwaXhosa. * za.culture.xhosa For discussions of Xhosa language and culture. za.edu.comp Discussions on the use of computers in education za.environment Environmental issues in Southern Africa za.events Conferences, events and happenings nationally za.flame A cool imitation of the real thing za.humour Humour/jokes/fun za.misc General chat, comments, announcements etc za.net.maps Local UUCP maps [uucpmap@lasernet.co.za] (Moderated) za.net.misc Miscellaneous ramblings on networking in ZA za.net.stats Statistics on network usage, automated postings etc za.net.uninet Announcements and feedback from the Uninet-ZA office za.politics Politics in Southern Africa za.schools Issues affecting primary and secondary education za.sport Finer points of jukskei or the Comrades marathon za.test Testing of news links and configurations za.unix.misc General discussion, questions and chat about Unix in ZAEntries marked with an "*" provide alternative descriptors for the systems "newsgroups" file.
The following major news hubs are reportedly carrying the "za.*" hierarchy. If you want to receive the newsgroups, get your news administrator to ask one of these hub sites where to get a feed.
agate.berkeley.edu San Franciso hub darwin.sura.net Washington DC area hub europa.eng.gtefsd.com Washington DC area hub nctuccca.edu.tw major hub in Taiwan noc.near.net Boston/New England hub news.pipex.net major hub in the UK news.gatech.edu SouthEastern US hub news.moneng.mei.com new site (the guy that used to run Spool.MU.edu ) news.hk.net hub in HongKong newsserver.jvnc.net New Jersey nntp.xlink.net major hub in germany paladin.american.edu the Usenet-to-Bitnet gateway site sol.ctr.columbia.edu NY City hub spool.mu.edu major hub, national influence torn.onet.on.ca Toronto Canada hub usc.edu Los Angeles hub vixen.cso.uiuc.edu Illinois wupost.wustl.edu St. Louis netcom.com On-line Communications Services, San Jose news.uoregon.edu Eugene, Oregon uunet.uu.net UUnet, Virginia well.sf.ca.us Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, San Francisco