A local name server for organizational message handling systems

The authors explore the feasibility of a local name server for message handling services conforming to OSI standards but using ad hoc solutions for name-to-address mapping. The name server handles the restricted subset of names that correspond to the users of a single organization and can be managed under the responsibility of the organization. This strategy makes it possible to implement a simple name server that is capable of providing name-to-address mapping for messages sent to users belonging to the organization. The strict limitation to the scope of local names is necessary to relinquish interactions with other name servers, but it also makes it difficult to provide name-to-address mapping for messages within an outside destination. As a substitute, a global aliasing facility is proposed that provides a centrally managed set of aliases and is accessible to all users of the organization. As a verification of the feasibility of this approach, a prototype has been built. The prototype can be implemented as a gateway between the organization and the outside world. This technique has the advantage of permitting the interworking with almost all interim implementations of message handling systems and of being a good base for the migration to a real OSI name service once it becomes available