@device(x2700)
@make(report)
@flushleft(@b(Edinburgh University Computing Service

Communications Group))

@majorheading(Proposal to the JNT to procure
a Network Level Converter)
@flushright(Brian Gilmore
October 1987)

@heading(Introduction)
  The E.U.C.S. proposes  to  procure  Yellow  Book to OSI Connection-Mode
Network Service converters on behalf of the JNT.
This overall procurement will
be in four phases.

The phases are as follows:-
@itemise{

Completion of the Specification

Distribution of the specification and discussions with potential contractors

Finalisation of implementation contract

Evaluation of the finished product
}
At the end of each stage, a report will be prepared on the progress during that
stage before the start of the next phase.

@heading(Specification)

The purpose of a converter is to convert between 'The Yellow Book - a
Network Independent Transport Service' running over X.25 (1980) into the OSI
Connection-Mode Network Service.  The need for such a converter,
including many of its basic functions, are described in the 'Transition to OSI
Standards' report.
Consideration of Triple-X terminal
handling and interactions with the NRS OSI extensions and NRS look up
protocol in the converter will be needed.

The specification phase will draw together the existing raw material,
 the Transition report, input to the transition committee, ORN1 and ORN3.
The question of sizing and throughput which will allow a determination of the
number required in the Community will be made.
A draft of the specification 
will be produced for submission to the JNT for approval.

@heading(Implementation Plan)

The specification will be distributed to possible contractors and discussions
will be held with those interested to determine how a converter should be
implemented.  The main options are:-
@itemise{
A Standalone unit.

A Software module in an existing network component.

An element of an application level converter.
}

Each of the above possibilities offer differing levels of performance,
reliability, implementation timescales, hardware and software costs.  The
options will be evaluated and a report on the recommendations will be submitted
to the JNT for approval.

@heading(Implementation)

Following the discussions with the JNT a final specification
 will be prepared and
distributed to the potential contractors, evaluation of the responses will be
made and a final recommendation made to the JNT.

@heading(Testing and Evaluation)

After the contract has been fulfilled, the product will be tested
and an evaluation report completed.

@heading(Effort Required)

The first phase will require approximately 15 man days of effort.

The second
stage will require approximately 3 man days per potential contractor
with an additional 15
man days to draw up the summary and proposal. There may be up to 5 interested
contractors; beyond that figure a selection would need to be made.

The third stage will require 3 man days effort.

The fourth stage will require 10 man days effort.

This is a total of 58 man days, which is made up of 15 days of an AD5 and 50
days of an AD3.

@heading(Cost)
The  cost  will  be  #8590 (#9878 inc VAT)
 for the manpower.  This is 43 man days for the grade
3
person, and 15 man days for the grade 5.  This will be charged at salaries  plus
26% for superannuation and 40% for overheads.  The figures are thus #145 and
#157
per  day  respectively.  There would be an additional small allowance for travel
and subsistence of #800.


The payment will be expected in two stages, one at the completion of the second
stage and the final payment at the completion of the project.

@heading(Timescales)

The first stage report will be ready by the end of 1987.  The second stage by
the 1st April 1988 and the third stage by the 1st June 1988.  These timescales
assume that the time taken to accept each stage of the report will only be two 
or three weeks.