Assuming some ambiguity in your original question/observation, LISTSERV will distribute mail over the LISTSERV Bitnet Backbone and THEN possibly gateway the mail to Internet addresses. This algorithm is controlled, in part, by any registration of Internet/Bitnet equivalences in the BITEARN NODES database at the originating LISTSERV site for each Internet subscriber's address. Thus, if I have a subscription to LDBASE-L on Bitnet node UKANVM aka UKANVM.CC.UKANS.EDU using my host address on oas.psu.edu (which is equivalenced in the the BITEARN NODES database to PSUADMIN), LISTSERV will Distribute LDBASE-L postings to me via the LISTSERV@PSUVM, (routing via the LISTSERVs @ KSUVM + MIZZOU1) and then "explode" it to my Internet address, since PSUVM is the closest LISTSERV backbone site to PSUADMIN. I think at PSUVM, where my address gets "exploded", is the place where DOMAIN NAMES comes into effect. /Pete ([log in to unmask]) -- Peter M. Weiss | oas.psu.edu postmaster 31 Shields Bldg -- Penn State Univ.| "Connectivity is more than a Connection" University Park, PA USA 16802-1202 | E. Michael Staman, _The Circuit_, Apr 92