015.50 Malaysia by Mohamed Awang Lah JARING: An Introduction Introduction: JARING (Joint Advanced Research Integrated NetworkinG) Project is a development project coordinated and managed by MIMOS - a government research and development (R&D) institute for microelectronics and information technology. The institute is responsible to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Malaysia. JARING has evolved from RangKoM, a pilot project initiated in 1987 which has established links amongst local universities. Electronic mail service is available for local researchers to communicate with their counterparts in other countries having similar networks. Objectives: The project has the following objectives: + to establish an integrated data communication network (known as JARING - literally NET); + to enhance multi-disciplinary R&D activities; and + to study and evaluate the use of data communication technology and its impact on socio-economic activities. Activities: One of the major activities being undertaken in the project is the coordination of database development in various fields related to science and technology as well as education. Most users will be using terminals to access remote databases through JARING. The development of JARING has in fact been integrated with other development programs including Computer-In-Education and the Government Open Systems Program for Public Sector. Many multi-disciplinary research activities will be conducted using JARING as the means for data communication. Topology: Nodes will be set up in various parts of the country according to the distribution of users. Dedicated leased-lines at speeds of 9600 bps to 64 Kbps will be installed to link the nodes. Dial-up lines at speeds of 1200 bps to 9600 bps will be made available at certain nodes. JARING is linked through the public X.25 network (MAYPAC). Its major link is to other countries is through "uunet" in USA. Protocol: All nodes support X.25 protocols. Some nodes will also support TCP/IP. Cost: Local users have to pay the cost of connection to the nearest JARING node. Infrastructure and communication cost within the country is paid by the government through the Project allocation. Mohamed b. Awang-Lah Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS) 7th Floor, Exchange Square Jalan Semantan, Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA