Research Considerations in Computer Networking to Expand Resource Sharing. NBS Technical Note 801

Computer networking technology is adequately developed now to support research and experimentation to expand computing resource sharing. Whether progress will be made depends upon organizational initiative among multiple institutions to pool personnel and capital so as to effectively address the major issues in management approach, support, and software design that limit the feasible interdependence of computing operation. The organizational requirements are partially revealed by examining progressive stages of resource sharing in organizational and operational terms rather than such technical aspects as load sharing or program sharing that have been introduced in the past. Five stages are identified, ranging from simply establishing multiple service access to the advanced stage where multiple institutions organize for joint development of new resources. A preliminary evaluation framework for new management arrangements results when these stages are mapped against the four functional levels inherent in computer network management. Future needs for networking experimentation and research are briefly described, and other National Bureau of Standards technical results are identified in context. (Author)