IP Network Management Platforms Before the Web

In this paper, we analyze the characteristics and shortcomings of IP network management platforms before the arrival of Web technologies. In the first part, we give a brief history of IP network management, and summarize the limitations of traditional (i.e., pre-Web and SNMP-based) management platforms. We recall the initial objectives of open network management. We then explain how the early vision of generic management was changed by the industry`s natural inclination for market segmentation, and how the market of IP networks evolved from generic to vendor-specific equipment, management GUIs and MIBs. In the second part, we propose a simple model of traditional IP network management platforms, against which new Web-based management solutions can be compared. We introduce the three core functions of such platforms (network monitoring, data collection, and event handling), distinguish regular management from ad hoc management, and explain how SNMP`s polling model maps onto these functions

Patterns in SNMP-Based Management

A lot of activity is currently going on to replace the SNMP management architecture with a solution better suited to managing modern IP networks and systems. New candidates include Management by Delegation, active networks, and Web-based management. In this exercise, the management community runs the risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water by focusing too much on a few well-known problems exhibited by SNMP (e.g., its poor scalability) and neglecting most of its other characteristics, including those that contributed to its success (e.g., the reasons why it is simple). One way to avoid this is to explicitly capture the experience gained in the management of IP networks and systems with SNMP. In this paper, we make one step in this direction by studying the SNMP management architecture through a software engineers eyes: we identify in SNMP some of the fundamental architectural and design patterns defined in the literature. Patterns are schematic, proven solutions to recurring problems. By characterizing the current management architecture in terms of patterns, we help retain the strengths of SNMP-based management in future management architectures. We also make it easier for new software engineers to move to network and systems management by characterizing this application domain in standard pattern terms, as opposed to using the jargon understood solely by the SNMP community

The Push Model in Web-Based Network Management

The management of IP networks is currently based on the SNMP protocol, and the use of expensive network management platforms designed according to the manager/agent paradigm of the SNMP framework. It uses two different schemes to transfer management data: a request/response protocol for data collection and network monitoring (data polling), and unsolicited push to deliver SNMP notifications. This design is exposed to a number of problems, with regards to the time-to-market of vendor-specific management software, versioning, protocol efficiency, security, etc. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to network management based on the push model. This model is well-known in software engineering, and encountered a large success on the Web recently with the push technologies. It relies on the publish/subscribe/distribute paradigm, and uses a single scheme to transfer all management data. We describe why it is more efficient, in terms of network and systems resources, than the traditional pull model. We also explain in detail how to implement this model with Web technologies to deliver SNMP notifications, to handle events, and to distribute MIB data for network monitoring and data collection

A Simple Typology of Distributed Network Management Paradigms

Over the past few years, network management has steadily evolved from a centralized model, where all the management processing takes place on a single network management station, to distributed models, where management is distributed over a number, potentially large, of nodes. Among distributed models, one, epitomized by the SNMPv2 and CMIP protocols, has been around for several years, whereas a flurry of new ones, based on mobile code, distributed objects or cooperative agents, have only recently emerged. This paper reviews all major network management paradigms known to date, and proposes a simple typology to classify them

JAMAP: a Web-Based Management Platform for IP Networks

In this paper, we describe JAMAP, a prototype of a Web-based management platform for IP networks. It is entirely written in Java. It implements the push model to perform regular management (permanent network monitoring and data collection) and ad hoc management (temporary network monitoring and troubleshooting). The communication between agents and managers relies on HTTP transfers between Java applets and servlets over persistent TCP connections. The SNMP MIB data is encapsulated in serialized Java objects that are transmitted as MIME parts via HTTP. The manager consists of two parts: the management server, a static machine that runs the servlets, and the management station, which can be any desktop running a Web browser. The MIB data is transparently compressed with gzip, which saves network bandwidth without increasing latency too significantly

Push vs. Pull in Web-Based Network Management

In this paper, we show how Web technologies can be used effectively to (i) address some of the deficiencies of traditional IP network management platforms, and (ii) render these expensive platforms redundant. We build on the concept of embedded management application, proposed by Wellens and Auerbach, and present two models of network management application designs that rely on Web technologies. First, the pull model is based on the request/response paradigm. It is typically used to perform data polling. Several commercial management platforms already use Web technologies that rely on this model to provide for ad hoc management; we demonstrate how to extend this to regular management. Second, the push model is a novel approach which relies on the publish/subscribe/distribute paradigm. It is better suited to regular management than the pull model, and allows administrators to conserve network bandwidth as well as CPU time on the management station. It can be seen as a generalization of the paradigm commonly used for notification delivery. Finally, we introduce the concept of the collapsed network management platform, where these two models coexist

JAMAP: a Web-Based Management Platform for IP Networks

In this paper, we describe JAMAP, a prototype of Web-based management platform for IP networks. It is entirely written in Java. It implements the push model to perform regular management (i.e. permanent network monitoring and data collection) and ad hoc management (i.e. temporary network monitoring and troubleshooting). The communication between agents and managers relies on HTTP transfers between Java applets and servlets over persistent TCP connections. The SNMP MIB data is encapsulated in serialized Java objects that are transmitted as MIME parts via HTTP. The manager consists of two parts: the management server, a static machine that runs the servlets, and the management station, which can be any desktop running a Web browser. The MIB data is transparently compressed with gzip, which saves network bandwidth without increasing latency too significantly

La gestion des reseaux IP basee sur les technologies Web et le modele push

La gestion des rseaux IP est actuellement fonde sur le protocole SNMP, ainsi que sur des plateformes de gestion coteuses implmentant le paradigme gestionnaire-agent du cadre de gestion SNMP. Cette gestion repose sur deux types de transfert de donnes: un protocole de type requte/rponse, pour recueillir des donnes statistiques et pour surveiller le rseau, et du push non sollicit, pour envoyer les notifications. Ce modle conceptuel souffre de plusieurs carences, notamment en ce qui concerne le temps de mise sur march du logiciel de gestion propritaire, la gestion de versions multiples, l`efficacit du codage de l`information transporte par le protocole, etc. Dans ce papier, nous prsentons une nouvelle approche pour la gestion des rseaux IP, base sur les technologies Web et le modle push. Ce modle suit le paradigme publication-souscription, et utilise la mme mthode de transfert quel que soit le type des donnes de gestion. Nous dcrivons comment l`implmenter avec des technologies Web pour (i) envoyer des notifications, (ii) distribuer les donnes de gestion relatives la surveillance du rseau et l`accumulation de donnes statistiques, et (iii) mettre jour les interfaces graphiques servant au monitoring

Annotated Typology of Distributed Network Management Paradigms

Over the past few years, network management has steadily evolved from a centralized model, where all the management processing takes place on a single network management station, to distributed models, where management is distributed over a number, potentially large, of nodes. Among distributed models, one, the weakly distributed hierarchical model, has been around for several years, whereas a flurry of new ones, based on mobile code, distributed objects or cooperative agents, have only recently emerged. Which of these techniques will eventually win ? Will several ones have to coexist ? How do they compare to each other ? In order to provide a framework to analyze these issues, this paper presents a comprehensive typology of all network management paradigms known to date, whether they have been successfully implemented already or whether they are still confined to the research community. By comparing these models with those used in another research field, enterprise management, we delineate a common trend of evolution, and attempt to predict what the future holds for network management. Keywords : Distributed Network Management, Organizational Models, Mobile Code, Management by Delegation, Distributed Objects, Intelligent Agents