The TOXNET system with its 20 files of factual and bibliographic information related to toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and the environment, began life in 1985 on a minicomputer, eventually moved to a group of networked microprocessors, and has now been ported to its newest platform. On June 1, 1998, TOXNET was transferred to a UNIX environment, using a SUN Enterprise 3000 as the "live" server and a SUN Ultra II Station as the "development" server. UNIX is generally considered to have a relatively open platform with a high degree of data connectivity. TOXNET will continue to utilize the M (formerly MUMPS) operating system/programming language.
This change to a UNIX-based system will be transparent to users. An important benefit is expected to be more efficient search capabilities, translating into improved response time. The new platform will also allow NLM to take advantage of utilities that facilitate Web-based development, such as the TOXNET Web Simple Interface currently being tested, and scheduled for public release later in the year.