The reference environment shall be defined by the so-called reference platforms installed in the CERN Computer Centre.
These platforms will define things such as the compiler release level, operating system level, versions and revision levels of various products etc., that are used to generate the CERN Program Library.
The Program Library source and binaries will be made available via a reference server, currently asisftp.cern.ch.
Certain services in the CERN Computer Centre may decide to install private copies of the CERN Program Library (e.g. PARC, Shift, VXCERN).
These copies should in no way be considered to be the reference versions.
The CERN Program Library office will attempt to announce changes in the reference environment to HEPLIB at least 2 months in advance.