Test and evaluation community network (TECNET)

Abstract

Test and Evaluation Community Network (TECNET) is a set of software and safeguards that operates on a standard UNIX based computer to provide the following capabilities in a secure fashion via the World Wide Web operating over the Internet: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Multimedia Internet Mail Extension (MIME) compliant electronic mail with many user features. Reflector configured bulletin board capabilities as a logical extension of the above electronic mail system for group sharing. Hierarchical file repositories allowing binary upload, copying, and download for Internet store and forward capability. Protected File Transfer Protocol (FTP) areas supplant the above file repository capability.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to Internet test and evaluation systems, and more specifically to a web host enabling tool for collaborative knowledge sharing within the test and evaluation community.The best patented Internet test support systems are described in the following patents, which are incorporated by reference:U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,953, Aug. 18, 1998, System having user terminal connecting to a remote test system via the internet for remotely testing communication network, Zey, David A., andU.S. Pat. No. 5,203,201, Apr. 20, 1993, On-line web filtration efficiency test method, Gogins, Mark A.The Test and evaluation Community Network (TECNET) has led the way in technical communication initiatives on behalf of the Defense Test and Evaluation community since its creation in 1984. TECNET's role has always been to assist in the meaningful and timely information exchange among geographically, organizationally and functionally disparate test and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a set of software and safeguards that operates on a standard UNIX based computer to provide the following capabilities in a secure fashion via the World Wide Web operating over the Internet: A. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Multimedia Internet Mail Extension (MIME) compliant electronic mail with many user features. B. Reflector configured bulletin board capabilities as a logical extension of the above electronic mail system for group sharing. C. Hierarchical file repositories allowing binary upload, copying, and download for Internet store and forward capability. D. Protected File Transfer Protocol (FTP) areas to supplant the above file repository capability. E. Threaded discussion areas for different-time, different place collaboration capabilities. F. Optional voting tools associated with the threaded discussion areas. G. Full-fledged formal voting tool including proxy voter capability. H. Simple calendar tool to permit announcing future events. I. Rudimentary database capabilities allowing user defined fields and record layouts. J. Ability to automatically invoke, complete, and submit a pre-designed form to populate any of the above resources. K. Integration of a Commercial Off The Shelf natural language search engine and its associated web crawling spider. L. Automated WWW based administrative tools to permit: 1. Full user administration, definition and configuration of all the resources described above, 2. Assignment of user or group privileges, and 3. Ability to build and support custom applications using the above modular tools. M. Reconfigureable business or system engineering process modeling drawing on the above capabilities to permit dynamic model execution by designated role players. N. A comprehensive set of Internet security practices to allow management of all the above resources with greatly reduced risk. O. A number of standard network interfaces allowing: 1. Direct and secure World Wide Web access, 2. Capability to serve as an Internet Service Provider (ISP), 3. Capability to support Post Office Protocol #3 (POP-3), 4. Ability to support standard Internet access modes such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and TELNET connections.

Problems solved by technology

Rather TECNET has established capabilities before the real need arises, but not so soon that the risk is unacceptable.

TECWEB capability already outstrips the initial interactive private Web offerings of most corporations and T&E field activities.

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