UUCP

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UUCP Email Address

Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP) is a suite of computer programs and protocols allowing remote execution of commands and transfer of files, email, and netnews between computers. Originally written in 1978 at AT&T Bell Laboratories, UUCP was an early method to share files, emails, and news articles between computers over dial-up modems or leased lines. It became widely used for email and Usenet traffic in the 1980s and early 1990s, especially in environments where direct access to the Internet was limited or unavailable.

Overview

UUCP allows two computers to connect with each other to exchange files and execute commands. Each system that uses UUCP operates both as a client, initiating connections to other systems, and as a server, accepting connections from others. This flexibility made UUCP especially valuable in the early days of computer networks, where direct, always-on connections were rare and expensive.

The protocol uses a store-and-forward model, meaning that data sent from one computer to another might be stored temporarily on intermediate computers before reaching its final destination. This method was particularly effective for managing data transmission over long distances or through unreliable connections.

Components

UUCP consists of several key components and commands, including:

- uucico: The UUCP daemon responsible for making and answering telephone calls to transfer files and execute remote commands. - uux: A command that allows users to execute commands on remote systems. - uucp: The command used to copy files between systems. - uustat: A utility for monitoring and controlling UUCP jobs. - uuname: A command that lists the names of all computers known to the local UUCP network.

Usage

In its heyday, UUCP was used for a variety of purposes, including:

- Sharing software and data files. - Sending electronic mail between users on different computers. - Participating in Usenet, a global distributed discussion system.

UUCP networks were often configured in a hierarchical manner, with more reliable or better-connected systems serving as hubs for others. This structure helped to manage the flow of data and reduce the burden on any single system.

Decline

With the widespread adoption of the Internet and the development of more efficient protocols such as SMTP for email and NNTP for Usenet, the use of UUCP has significantly declined. However, it remains an important part of computing history and is still used in some niche applications where direct Internet access is not feasible.

See Also

- Email - Usenet - Internet Protocol Suite - SMTP - NNTP