Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

InterOffice Memo

Mike,

In order to continue with the WAIS Project, it will be necessary to have access to WAIS through the Internet. This is a requirement of the communications protocols used between the client and the server. Because this is a Client-Server environment, real-time continious service is required.

There are several possibilities:

Dow Jones already has a POP/Router here in South Brunswick. We could run an isolated gateway/link to a single host. This could be done through a low speed serial link if preferred (SLIP/PPP). This would provide a self-regulating environment.

We can set up a modem line and do SLIP to one of the IP providers. The carrier only charges about $100-$200/month, but the telephone tarrifs may be has high as 18 cents/minute ($11.00/hour). We will be on the network for extended periods of time, up to 20 hours/week for 9 months. This project depends on reliable, real-time connectivity.

We can use a dedicated host/client. We will need to test several different clients and servers as well as a firewall agent. We are also trying to test and develop security measures. Each host (Sun, HP, PC) can be disconnected from the Lan.

I have been working out of my home and test using my home system. I do not live within a LATA which contains an internet POP, and the hourly rate will be over $12/hour plus the $150/month for the regular account. This is roughly a $1000/month phone bill for up to nine months. Before September, we will be putting a WAIS system into production here in South Brunswick.

When this project was planned, a stated requirement was real-time internet connectivity. Can you deliver this capability?

CC: Mike Rauch, Greg Gerdy