Subj : Tiers
To   : DAVE NEMETH
From : FOXY FERGUSON
Date : Wed Jul 11 2001 03:48 am

FF>> A list of most of the mail moving hubs of the zone can be

DN> I was reading the SLA_0107.Z1B part about tier 1 and tier 2
DN> hubs being selected by majority vote. I route mail for more
DN> than just my own net so I was thinking of persuing tier 2
DN> status.

That, Dave, is totally between you and the ZIB distribution
system, which is but one of several possible distribution systems
operational in this zone. There are quite a number of nodes who
route mail for more than just their own nets and claim no
affiliation with any distribution system. Identification with a
distribution system is not necessary for moving mail.

My job is to try and keep track of the recognized ERN routes. For
this, I depend on input from NC/NECs, RC/RECs and mail movers.
Based on those recognized ERN routes, I "track" major and minor
mail moving hubs, noting with whom they have reciprocal netmail
links, and for how many nets they distribute routed netmail,
either directly or via an intermediate link. The results of that
tracking are to be found in the netmail Inter-Connectivity Matrix
found at the beginning of any ROUTELST.xxx. It lists the ten most
active hubs, based on the data available to me. Data which does
NOT include how much echomail moves thru the system. Some of
those hubs are Z1B hubs, some are NAB hubs, and some are not
technically affiliated with anyone's distro system. All net ERN
routes listed in the ROUTELST.xxx terminate with one or another
of those hubs.

If at any time you have a route into any net where the net/node
has agreed to handle ANY/ALL netmail for that net, please let me
know. It would also help to have that net report the route,
either via their region's REC, or in netmail to me.

I currently show your net's ERN via Jack Yates, who has links
with at least two matrix hubs, one of which is Ross Cassell. That
means netmail for you and your net normally travels via Jack to
reach the nodes in your net, even tho he isn't listed as a
matrix hub. Nor, last I looked, as a Z1B tier2 hub.

Should you desire to make any changes to your net's ERN listing,
or to indicate an alternate route from another uplink, either for
your own net or for another, please ensure that all parties
along the chain understand that the linkages are reciprocal and
include any/all netmail for the destination net, not just netmail
for you as an individual or for the sysop of the net/node with
whom you connect.

Distribution systems may come and go, but the essence of mail
moving doesn't change. It is and always has been based on direct
node-to-node arrangements. Gentlemen's aggreements, so to speak.

Rgds,
Foxy
--- Platinum Xpress/Wildcat! v1.4c
 * Origin: Pogo's (1:361/1)

.