Szczecin region heterogeneous computer networks: design and development problems

The Szczecin Technical University is involved in the design and development of the heterogeneous computer network ZASK, which is to serve a collection of academic and industry users. ZASK is to be a subset of a bigger interregion academic computer network, KASK. The authors present the design solutions implied by the general considerations: importing of networks is not feasible; primarily IBM-compatible microcomputers are available on the Polish market; there is a severe lack of professional medium-size or large computers in Poland; and the lack of post-office links is even more severe. The interuniversity computer network MSK (in operation from 1983) provides experience in networking in local conditions, which should be used in development of ZASK