A Framework and Lightweight Protocol for Multimedia Network Management

The increasing complexities of modern networks coupled with the popularity of multimedia applications have placed higher demands on network managers. This paper reviews the main requirements and challenges for effective management of multimedia networks, presents a case study of a thin-client-based multimedia system called CSL (Computer-supported Learning System) and proposes a framework for managing such networks. CSL delivers browser-based assessments and other learning materials to thousands of students at the University of Auckland. This type of demand requires more flexible schemes for the management of the network. In the framework proposed, most of the link management information will be kept in a MIB in the network and a very simple MIB will be maintained in the thin client. The MIB in the network is accessible to the network management application, and a lightweight protocol is proposed for updating of the network MIB using an agent at the thin client.