The Network Structure




    The initial IBN Hub will be located in Columbus Ohio. Other Hubs
    may be formed by the Columbus Hub in order to facilitate and
    compliment hub to Member Host activities. In all likelihood, additional
    Hubs will be located within the Continental US near the two coast 
    lines and/or near the Canadian and Mexican Borders.



    The IBN Hub will assign passwords and maintain Member Host site 
    numbers. A Sitelist will be maintained by the Hub and updated 
    on a weekly basis as revisions demand and provided to each Member
    Host. This list will contain the Member Host site number, name of
    the site, principal's name, city and state, area code and phone number,
    data, fax, and voice along with code identification of specialty types
    of Electronic Information available so that Member Hosts can determine 
    the most likely site for obtaining electronic information that the 
    Member Host requires.  Member Host site identification will use 
    the FidoNet node number and QWK mail packet Members will be assigned a 
    different identification number. For purposes of determining time 
    between Standard and Daylight times, the IBN Columbus Hub will use 
    Standard Time during all of the year as will any newly formed Hubs.



    Member Hosts that are using FidoNet message technology need not have
    an associated BBS system. It is recommended, however, that a Member Host
    have an associated BBS to help facilitate passage of messages, E-Mail,
    Netmail, and/or otherwise with and to other Member Hosts. Member Hosts 
    that use QWK mail packet technology for passing messages to and from 
    the Hub must have an associated BBS with a QWK mail door.



    Member Host systems may communicate within the Network with other
    Member Hosts without going through the Hub, if desired by the Host.
    Messages routed through the Hub between Member Hosts may be encrypted
    at Member Host's request.(The Columbus Hub facilities are available 
    for routing messages between Member Hosts.)