Protocol Requirements for Accessing DOE Lessons Learned Information Services

Lessons Learned Handbook:

DOE-HDBK-7502-95

Interoperability of applications and systems;

Independence from a particular hardware and software environment;

Flexibility to change and expand;

Capability to integrate data and systems from different sources;

Greater leverage with systems and application suppliers gained by the clear

articulation of system requirements; and

Access independent of physical geography.

The TIS definition of open systems applies more to the protocol than it does to the

platform. These open system protocols are used to develop a system of independent

processes that will appear to the end user as a unified whole. As long as the user

conforms to the TIS communications protocols, the user may choose any hardware

platform, graphical user interface, or specific application. This means that TIS will

interface equally well on an IBM PC, Macintosh, UNIX workstation, or other computing

platform. Similarly, users may access TIS services, such as electronic mail, through their

choice of application (e.g., Eudora, cc:mail or another mail viewing program).

Protocol Requirements for Accessing DOE Lessons Learned

Information Services

The basic services that will be used to exchange lessons learned information are

described below, along with the protocols that will be used to implement each service.

"Protocol" refers to the formal description of message formats and the rules that two

or more computers must follow to exchange those messages.

Bulletin Board Services (Gopher Services)

[Reference: RFC1436 The Internet Gopher protocol (a distributed search and retrieval

protocol)] The term "Gopher" refers to a user application that is used for browsing the

Internet. Gopher facilitates the search and retrieval process. The bulletin board

services allow users to electronically access current information such as conference

dates, publications, and information bulletins that are posted by other users. Users

can review, print, or retrieve information that is posted on a bulletin board. TIS

bulletin board services/Gopher provide access to multiple bulletin boards, including the

DOE lessons learned bulletin board (to be established).

A lessons learned bulletin board will be established to allow users to post and access

lessons learned information. In addition, the TIS bulletin board service will allow users

to access worldwide information including safety-related information provided by

universities and research centers. Bulletin board information can include formatted

documents as well as graphics and audio files.

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