XML‐Based Network Management for IP Networks

XML‐based network management, which applies XML technologies to network management, has been proposed as an alternative to existing network management. The use of XML in network management offers many advantages. However, most existing network devices are already embedded with simple network management protocol (SNMP) agents and managed by SNMP managers. For integrated network management, we present the architectures of an XML‐based manager, an XML‐based agent, and an XML/SNMP gateway for legacy SNMP agents. We describe our experience of developing an XML‐based network management system (XNMS), XML‐based agent, and an XML/SNMP gateway. We also verify the effectiveness of our XML‐based agent and XML/SNMP gateway through performance tests. Our experience with developing XNMS and XML‐based agents can be used as a guideline for development of XML‐based management systems that fully take advantage of the strengths of XML technologies.     

Development of SNMP‐XML translator and gateway for XML‐based integrated network management

The research objective of our work is to develop a SNMP MIB to XML translation algorithm and to implement an SNMP‐XML gateway using this algorithm. The gateway is used to transfer management information between an XML‐based manager and SNMP‐based agents. SNMP is widely used for Internet management, but SNMP is insufficient to manage continuously expanding networks because of constraints in scalability and efficiency. XML–based network management architectures are newly proposed as alternatives to SNMP‐based network management, but the XML‐based Network Management System (XML‐based NMS) cannot directly manage legacy SNMP agents. We also implemented an automatic specification translator (SNMP MIB to XML Translator) and an SNMP‐XML gateway. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &Sons, Ltd.     

XML-based configuration management for IP network devices

As the Internet continues to grow, the tasks of operations and management of IP networks and systems are becoming more difficult. Over the past few years, much effort has been given to improve the deficiencies of SNMP, but most have failed to be standardized. One critical deficiency of SNMP is in the area of configuration management. Recent work focuses on the use of XML technology for network and service management as an alternative or complementary approach to SNMP. This article presents the IETF's latest effort, Netconf, which is viewed by many as a promising revolutionary solution for configuration management. To validate this new effort, we present the design and implementation of an XML-based configuration management system based on Netconf. We also discuss our experience with XCMS and make some suggestions for improving the current Netconf protocol.     

SNMP for home automation

Home and building automation applications impose the need for convergence, or at least interoperability, of data networks with intelligent building networks. This situation entails the use of a unified management system. In this paper we extend the traditional SNMP‐based network management system paradigm by creating an integrated site network management system that contains data elements, telecommunication equipment and intelligent building devices. A possible architecture based on a proxy gateway is presented and analyzed. We suggest an implementation and potential applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Network management platform based on mobile agents

Many of the modern network management solutions are based on commercially available management platforms. These platforms offer common management services, such as support for multiple‐management protocols, alarm management, and event correlation. Most of these platforms are based on the traditional manager—agent model adopted in standard protocols, such as Internet SNMP. However, these platforms suffer from limitations imposed by the centralized, static, polling‐based management model of SNMP, and the need for maintaining a central intelligence at the platform level. In view of the dynamic nature of evolving networks, future network management solutions need to be flexible, adaptable, and intelligent without increasing the burden on network resources. We have addressed this requirement with a new management platform architecture based on ontology‐driven mobile agents. This paper presents the new management platform architecture, its prototype implementation, and the results of its evaluation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SNMP-based acquisition system for DiffServ parameters

Modern communication networks cannot get along without quality of service (QoS) assurance. QoS-support mechanisms offer preferential treatment for specific traffic classes that is required especially by real-time network applications. Unfortunately current QoS technologies have certain disadvantages and limitations and therefore they are not always able to guarantee the required QoS level. This paper introduces a quality of service support system that improves the most often used quality of service support technology called Differentiated Services (DiffServ). The system proposed utilizes the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for the acquisition of configuration information from the edge router of the DiffServ domain. This information is subsequently used to control the allocation of network resources within the QoS assurance process. In order to evaluate this system we used the OPNET Modeler simulation environment where we built a simulation scenario able to interact with real network components. For this purpose we implemented the SNMP protocol into the OPNET Modeler and used it for acquisition of management information, stored in the Management Information Base (MIB) of the network node. The paper describes in details the improved QoS-support mechanism and the simulation model able to cosimulate the behavior of both real and virtual network elements.     

一种基于网络管理的CORBA/SNMP网关模型的构建

首先介绍了分布式CORBA技术在网络管理中应用的必然趋势，通过分析基于传统的SNMP和分布式CORBA两种网络管理体系的结构框架以及JIDM规范，提出了一种新的基于网络管理的CORBA／SNMP网关模型框架。最后，介绍了搭建CORBA／SNMP网关模型所需要的开发平台并基于此开发平台进行了相关的试验和仿真，其结果进一步表明本文所提出的模型是适用的、正确的、能够将现有的SNMP网管系统集成到CORBA网管系统中。     

WDM全光网网络管理系统的设计与实现

基于波长路的ＷＤＭ全光网是下一代高速宽带光纤网络的首选技术，如何对它进行有效而灵活的管理是目前研究的热点。ＳＨＡＯＮＥＴ是国内自主开发的第一个ＷＤＭ全光试验网，它具有自己网络管理系统，可以实现配置管理、性能管理和故障管理。本报导了ＳＨＡＯＮＥＴ网络的设计和它基于ＳＮＭＰ的实现。     

Development and testing of an SNMP‐based integrated management system for heterogeneous power line communication networks

Power line communication (PLC) is an evolving technology which uses existing power lines for data transmission. Like any other communication network, PLC networks need to be managed to ensure efficient use of resources and secure operations. Currently, major PLC chip vendors are trying to provide network management solutions based on the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) by developing their own management systems, but they cannot manage heterogeneous PLC networks comprised of PLC devices from various PLC chip vendors. In this paper, we provide our experience of developing and testing an integrated management system for a heterogeneous PLC network based on SNMP. We present our approach for integrated management by defining the common PLC management information base (MIB) and an integrated PLC proxy agent for providing interoperability to legacy PLC devices which do not support the common PLC MIB. We also present the development of an integrated PLC network management system and its test in heterogeneous PLC networks deployed in South Korea. The contribution of our work is to provide a guideline for developing and testing integrated NMSs for any heterogeneous networks including PLC networks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种具有普适性的单子网物理拓扑发现算法

文中提出了一种适用于单子网异构IP网络的物理拓扑发现算法,此算法基于网络中的SNMP MIB库,具有普适性.在AFT信息不足的情况下,可用端口流量的关系获得端口的连接信息.理论和仿真证明,即使在有个别网络元素不支持SNMP的情况下,此算法仍可准确地进行物理拓扑发现.     

On management of CATV full service networks: a European perspective

The CATV network operators hope to offer digital services and evolve their networks to full service networks. There are many hurdles for them at the moment in the transition to a digital network and digital service offering from the current analog-based technology. Key to the success of the transition will be a well-integrated and capable management system to allow CATV operators and service providers to control the network as well as the services they will offer. The CATV operators need to agree on a common data communication infrastructure and plan how their new digital services will be offered to subscribers without disrupting the current customer base of analog service users. The choice of network technology and data communication protocols will have a strong influence on the network management technology chosen. A vital element for the provision of a common open communication architecture as well as for the purposes of network management is that the IP is used. The adoption of existing standards is vital in order to establish a fast route to open network management for CATV networks. It is possible that CATV operators and service providers will have to integrate existing SNMP management systems and TMN/OSI management, with newer integrated service management systems based on TINA and implemented on a CORBA platform. There is a strong need to address security issues before any of these technologies can be deployed for service. There is currently investment (deployed systems and research) which uses each of the technologies mentioned, so these technologies will need to coexist. This article highlights the differences between the North American and European network architectures, and outlines the European network and network management scenario. This is based on the authors involvement in a Pan-European CATV project, Integrated Broadband Communication over Broadcast Networks-IBCoBN     

Scalability and performance of an agent‐based network management middleware

Rapid growth of computer network sizes and uses necessitate analysis of network application middleware in terms of its scalability as well as performance. In this paper we analyze a distributed network management middleware based on agents that can be dispatched to locations where they can execute close to the managed nodes. The described middleware operates between the network protocol layer and the application layer and uses standard TCP protocol and SNMP probes to interface the network. By aggregating requests from many users into a single agent, our system allows multiple managers to probe problem areas with minimal management traffic overhead. We discuss and quantify the benefits of the described middleware by implementing real‐time network managers using our system. The main result of this paper is a comparison of scalability and efficiency of our agent‐based management middleware and traditional SNMP‐based data collection. To this end, we measured traffic in both real and simulated networks. In the latter case, we designed, used and described here a method of separating simulated application flow into separate subflows to simplify design of simulations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PKG‐VUL: Security Vulnerability Evaluation and Patch Framework for Package‐Based Systems

In information security and network management, attacks based on vulnerabilities have grown in importance. Malicious attackers break into hosts using a variety of techniques. The most common method is to exploit known vulnerabilities. Although patches have long been available for vulnerabilities, system administrators have generally been reluctant to patch their hosts immediately because they perceive the patches to be annoying and complex. To solve these problems, we propose a security vulnerability evaluation and patch framework called PKG‐VUL, which evaluates the software installed on hosts to decide whether the hosts are vulnerable and then applies patches to vulnerable hosts. All these operations are accomplished by the widely used simple network management protocol (SNMP). Therefore, system administrators can easily manage their vulnerable hosts through PKG‐VUL included in the SNMP‐based network management systems as a module. The evaluation results demonstrate the applicability of PKG‐VUL and its performance in terms of devised criteria.     

A cognitive model‐based approach for autonomic fault management in OpenFlow networks

Autonomic network management is an approach to the management of complex networks and services that incorporates the detection, diagnosis and reconfiguration, as well as optimization, of their performance. A control loop is fundamental as it facilitates the capture of the current state of the networks and the reconfiguration of network elements without human intervention. For new networking architectures such as software‐defined networking and OpenFlow networks, in which the control plane is moved onto a centralized controller, an efficient control loop and decision making are more crucial. In this paper, we propose a cognitive control loop based on a cognitive model for efficient problem resolving and accurate decision making. In contrast to existing control loops, the proposed control loop provides reactive, deliberative and reflective loops for managing systems based on analysis of current status. In order to validate the proposed control loop, we applied it to fault management in OpenFlow networks and found that the protection mechanism provides fast recovery from single failures in OpenFlow networks, but it cannot cover multiple‐failure cases. We therefore also propose a fast flow setup (FFS) algorithm for our control loop to manage multiple‐failure scenarios. The proposed control loop adaptively uses protection and FFS based on analysis of failure situations. We evaluate the proposed control loop and the FFS algorithm by conducting failure recovery experiments and comparing its recovery time to those of existing methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tree-type photonic switching networks

The enormous bandwidth offered by optical systems makes photonic switching a very attractive solution for broadband communications. Tree-type architectures play an important role in the design of photonic switching networks. The authors present and discuss all known tree-type space-division photonic switching networks architectures in a unified framework, and propose a number of new solutions. The discussed networks can be implemented with guided-wave-based switching elements, or laser diodes and passive splitters and combiners. The following network types are considered: conventional, simplified, and two-active stage networks. Techniques for improving SNR as well as waveguide crossover minimization are presented and discussed     

Mobile control and management of computer networks using SMS services

Network administrators are always concerned about either not getting notified or late notification about occurrence of a sudden failure in the network, or not being able to come up with a proper solution even if informed. The reason behind such a concern is that the network administrators are constrained by physical presence on the network site or access to the Internet. The present article introduces a novel method for mobile control and management of computer and telecommunication networks. In this method, an application program is installed on one of the systems under management network or any system which can access the Internet. Then, using SNMP, the application program collects the information required by the network administrator and communicates the same to him/her via the most comprehensive communicational service; namely, Short Message Service (SMS). In like manner, the network administrator can send his/her commands to the application software via SMS. Having received the commands and using SNMP, the application software executes them on those pieces of equipment intended by the network administrator. By this method, network administrators will be able to control and manage their networks fully just by sending a short message rather than needing access to the Internet or having to be present physically on the spot.     

基于SNMP的HFC网管系统的设计与应用

HFC网络是一种发展前景广阔的宽带接入技术，完善的网络管理是保证网络正常营运的基础，也是网络高效稳定运行的关键。介绍一种基于简单网络管理协议的HFC网络管理系统，从而实现对设备的远程管理。     

Broadband building blocks [optical networks]

This article has focused on optical networks using WDM to provide broadband network solutions with increased functionality, capacity, and reach. The building blocks in this type of networks, i.e., OADMs and OXCs, have been discussed in detail. The different architectures and technology options used in these types of nodes have been investigated. A comparison between WS and BS OADM architectures has been given, while OXCs have been classified into opaque and transparent. The WS and B&S transparent OXC architectures have been discussed in detail, and the various technology options in terms of optical switching have been covered. The system performance of OADMs and OXCs including their cascadability has been analyzed in terms of OSNR, crosstalk, amplifier transients, and filter concatenation effects.     

基于移动agent的SNMP网管性能研究

本文针对SNMP网管所存在的问题,基于移动agent技术构建了一个与平台无关的运行环境,利用SNMP移动管理者和代理群实现动态的软件部署模式和多样的网管方式,使SNMP网管适应不同类型的被管设备和不同层次的管理需求,既兼顾已有系统,又提高网管性能.实验表明,移动agent技术能够为SNMP网管带来快速、灵活和高效的管理过程.     

Desktop versus web‐based network management

This paper introduces a novel management paradigm called desktop‐based management that enables management of network resources from a desktop environment. It also covers the design and the implementation of SMB_―SNMP, a simple desktop‐based management system that allows people to manage SNMP resources from a desktop environment. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.