The architecture of the universe network

Abstract

The Universe Network is composed of a number of local area networks at various sites in the U. K., joined by high capacity data links. Apart from one token ring, all of the local area networks are Cambridge rings; the high capacity data links are provided by a 1 Mbit/s satellite broadcast channel. The Universe Project encompasses both the design and implementation of the network, and a program of experiments which make use of the network. One of the notable features of the network is that a host's view of communication over the network is no different from communication over a single ring; no internet protocol is used.