Computer Science Network

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What Does Computer Science Network Mean?

The Computer Science Network (CSNet) is a now-defunct computer network designed to extend networking benefits to universities and institutions that could not be directly connected to ARPANET. CSNet was funded by the National Science Foundation from its inception in 1981 until 1984.

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CSNet was a major milestone in providing access to national networking, which contributed to the development of the Internet. In 1991, the establishment of regional networks rendered CSNet redundant and the project was shut down.

Techopedia Explains Computer Science Network

CSNet began by connecting just a few institutions, but eventually expanded to connect more than 180 institutions worldwide. CSNet was founded to create a network that would be open to all computer researchers in the United States. This was to be supported by their payment of fixed annual dues and usage fees. CSNet was initially made up of three subnets: ARPANET, Telenet and Phonenet.

The CSNET project had three primary components: email relay, name service and TCP/IP-over-X.25 tunnelling technology. Users initially accessed CSNet via email relaying, through specific gateways, over dial-up, or X.29/X.25 terminal emulation. CSNet later added TCP/IP.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.