A global network management framework for the 90s

Network management has been recognized as one of the most challenging problems facing the network community. Managing communications resources (that are diverse, heterogeneous, and produced by a wide range of vendors) via current network management solutions imposes major obstacles. Network management systems (NMS), that are currently available in the market, utilize standards-based as well as proprietary network management systems. Vendors recognize the need for “Open” NMS products and frequently announce new products (based on the international standards (IS and draft IS, DIS) and frameworks). This paper summarizes the challenges faced by the network manager who needs to manage today´s networks and addresses the difficulties associated with implementing standards-based network management software in existing systems. This paper also identifies emerging network standards/profiles and their migration strategy. The author proposes a standard-based integrated NMS (INMS) architecture, that is loosely coupled, flexible, and easily expandable. Furthermore, this architecture will provide a stable yet flexible framework upon which an interoperable communications and network management system can be built. This proposed INMS architecture will conform to existing standards and emerging international standards (Simple Network Management Protocol, (SNMP), OSI Management Standards, Government Network Management Profile (GNMP), OSI/NM Forum standards, draft DoD-MIL-STD-38000, and OMNIPoints)