

               A Brief Review of the QWK-Network Concept


                Most QWK based networks(including UN'I, INTELEC, and
         ILINK) are based on star topology.  This consists of a central
         hub, a number of regional hubs and the nodes.  Below is a
         simple diagram of the star topology network.

                           Ŀ
                                           
                             Central HUB   
                                           
                           
           Ŀ
   Ŀ     Ŀ    Ŀ
                                                                   
       Regional Hub         Regional Hub           Regional Hub    
                                                                   
            
         Ŀ      Ŀ              Ŀ
                                                            
      ĿĿĿĿĿ        ĿĿ
       Node  Node  Node  Node  Node          Node  Node 
              


        The QWK format does not support routed messages so all systems
   involved in the network have all of the messages.  A QWK based
   network is capable of private mail.

        The mail cycle begins with a node exporting any new messages.
   He then uploads the replies to his hub, after he downloads any
   new mail.  Then he imports the new mail into his message base.  The
   cycle then repeats the next day.
