Showing papers on "Network management published in 1996"

MONET: multiwavelength optical networking

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the multiwavelength optical networking (MONET) program and summarizes its vision. The program objective is to advance, demonstrate, and integrate network architecture and economics, advanced multiwavelength technology, and network management and control to achieve high capacity, reconfigurable, high performance, reliable multiwavelength optical networks, with scalability to national scale, for both commercial and specialized government applications. The paper describes the major research thrusts of the program including network elements, networking demonstration plans, network control and management, and architecture and economics.

Intelligent agents: an emerging technology for next generation telecommunications?

Abstract: The telecommunications environment is changing its face towards an open market of information services where the vision is "information any time, at any place, in any form". Within this electronic market the aspects of service customization and instant service provision are of fundamental importance. In this context a new paradigm is gaining momentum referred to as "intelligent agents". This paper provides an overview of the emerging field of intelligent agents (IAs) by identifying their basic properties. Focusing on mobile agents, which could be considered as a specific class of intelligent agents, we identify the chances of agent technology in the context of telecommunications. We look at their potential impacts on open service architectures, intelligent communications and network management.

IP discovery apparatus and method

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for discovering devices on a network. Active devices can be discovered in ARP tables from routers on the network. Pings can then be sent to the active devices for verification, or pings can be sent to devices at other addresses on the network. Devices can also be discovered by sending a batch of pings to addresses on the network and monitoring responses from those addresses over an interval. After the interval elapses, another batch of pings can be sent. The devices can be discovered by a host on the network or by a network manager. The network manager can add the discovered devices to a network topology database.

Network connector operable in bridge mode and bypass mode

Abstract: A hub circuit with an integrated bridge circuit carried out in software including a switch for bypassing the bridge process such that the two bridged networks effectively become one network. An in-band management process in software is disclosed which receives and executes network management commands received as data packets from the LANs coupled to the integrated hub/bridge. Also, hardware and software to implement an isolate mode where data packets which would ordinarily be transferred by the bridge process are not transferred except in-band management packets are transferred to the in-band management process regardless of which network from which they arrived. Also disclosed, a packet switching machine having shared high-speed memory with multiple ports, one port coupled to a plurality of LAN controller chips coupled to individual LAN segments and an Ethernet microprocessor that sets up and manages a receive buffer for storing received packets and transferring pointers thereto to a main processor. The main processor is coupled to another port of the memory and analyzes received packets for bridging to other LAN segments or forwarding to an SNMP agent. The main microprocessor and the Ethernet processor coordinate to manage the utilization of storage locations in the shared memory. Another port is coupled to an uplink interface to higher speed backbone media such as FDDI, ATM etc. Speeds up to media rate are achieved by only moving pointers to packets around in memory as opposed to the data of the packets itself. A double password security feature is also implemented in some embodiments to prevent accidental or intentional tampering with system configuration settings.

Distributed remote management (dRMON) for networks

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the distributed monitoring of network traffic deploys end system agents to collect traffic statistics at distributed points in the network. These statistics are forwarded to collectors which compile the statistics to create higher level pictures of network performance. A collector may act as a proxy for a prior art standalone network probe and may interact with network management software as though it were a standalone network probe. The invention is designed to work in accordance with a variety of standard network management protocols including SNMP, RMON, and RMON2 but is not limited to those environments.

Customizable user interface for network navigation and management

Abstract: A graphical user interface for network management permits a network manager to select a limited number of network components to be displayed, along with the information relative thereto, while removing the display of undesirable or unnecessary data. Information is provided to inform the network manager that connections to other components may exist. In addition, information regarding the relationship of other components connected to the selected components is displayed. The network manager is provided with the opportunity to navigate about the map which illustrates the network topology, to locate the source of a problem. If the relationship between components changes, the network manager can expand the information displayed on the screen, to view all of the components that are directly connected to an illustrated component associated with a problem. The network manager can continue to request the display of specific connections, until the component which is the source of the problem is itself displayed and identified. Once the problem has been corrected, the manager can collapse the view to the originally selected components.

System for reading the status and for controlling the power supplies of appliances connected to computer networks

Abstract: A SNMP network comprises a power manager with a SNMP agent in TCP/IP communication over a network with a SNMP network manager. The power manager is connected to control several intelligent power modules each able to independently control the on/off power to several inter-networking devices in an equipment rack at a common remote node, e.g., a point-of-presence site. Power-on and load sensors within each intelligent power module are able to report the power status of each inter-networking device to the SNMP network manager with MIB variables in response to GET commands. The SNMP network manager is further able to reboot each inter-networking device by cycling the power on/off to its respective intelligent power module with the SET command provided in conventional SNMP management applications.

A network switch having network management agent functions distributed among multiple trunk and service modules

Abstract: A network that implements a network management protocol. The network comprises a network manager coupled to a plurality of network nodes. Each network node has a network address to which the network manager addresses network management messages for controlling the configuration of the network nodes. The plurality of network nodes include a first network node. The first network node includes a plurality of management agents and a message forwarding circuit coupled to the management agents, wherein the network manager transmits a management message to the network address of the first network node and the message forwarding circuit forwards the management message to a first management agent specified by the management message.

Optimum bandwidth utilization in a shared cable system data channel

Abstract: A full service network (FSN) provides three communication channels that end between a headend and each set-top within the FSN, namely (1) forward-application-transport (FAT) channels that supply data from the headend to all or to only addressed ones of the set-tops, (2) a forward-data-channel (FDC) that supplies data from the headend to all or to only addressed set-tops, and (3) a reverse-data-channel (RDC) that supplies data from the set-tops to the headend The FDC carries eight types of traffic, namely (1) conditional access message; (2) entitlement management messages; (3) broadcast data; (4) network management services messages or information; (5) general massaging; (6) application downloading; (7) Internet Protocol external device data services, and (8) VBR downloading A fixed bandwidth FDC provides a first bandwidth portion for the high priority transmission of items (1), (2) and (3) at a continuous bit rate (CBR) All other items are transmitted over the FDC using at an available bit rate (ABR) A priority system for the selective transmission of these other items is based upon (1) how full a data buffer for an item is, as compared to a fullness reference, (2) how old the oldest data in the data buffer for the item is, as compared to an age reference The fullness reference and the age reference are usually different for each of these other data items

System and method for managing distributed resources on networks

Abstract: A network system includes a network, multiple network cites for facilitating user access to the network, and a network manager. Each network cite has storage facilities to provide various resources to users of the network. Users can locally access certain resources at a local network cite to which they are connected, or remotely access other resources at remote network cites using the network. The network manager manages the location of resources among the network cites of the network according to a cost/availability criteria. This criteria balances allocating the resources among the network cites to make the resources available to the users against the cost associated with making the resources available to the users. Aspects of this invention are used in public network systems, entertainment network systems, online services systems, and local area network systems.

Intranet graphical user interface for SONET network management

Abstract: A system and method for effectively retrieving and managing network data from thousands of network elements by providing a graphical user interface to a network management system that permits shared access by service provider personnel using diverse computer equipment distributed over a wide geographical region. User requests to the network management system are input via any one of a plurality of workstations that are coupled with a company-wide Intranet system. Additionally, users can view predefined performance reports via a web browser program running on any one of the plurality of workstations coupled with the company-wide Intranet. Users can submit batch or on-line requests. Batch requests are scheduled to be processed at a later time and on-line requests are processed immediately. Results from on-line requests are available to the user as soon as the request has been processed.

Method and system for transporting ancillary network data

Abstract: A method and system for transporting ancillary network data is provided. A sub-carrier modulation signal containing ancillary network data is superimposed on a high bit-rate data signal prior to transport over an optical link. The monitoring subcarrier signal is significantly lower in both frequency and amplitude than the main data signal so as to not impact reliable reception of the main data signal. A low-pass filter filters the sub-carrier modulation signal from the data signal. By demodulating the sub-carrier signal, the ancillary network data is recovered. The ancillary network data includes any combination of data type information related to different network elements. The recovered ancillary network data is useful for any network management purpose. Especially important applications include restoration, wavelength re-use and routing, and any other general network management operation.

Method of supporting the management of a communications network, and network management facility therefor

Abstract: A method of supporting the management of a communications network in a communications environment in which two or more communications networks are linked in such a way that an exchange of data is possible between them, and in which each communications network is managed by means of an associated, autonomous network management facility, wherein the network management facilities send each other, through a data network, data on the status of the communications networks managed by them, and that the data are made available to the respective network operator by the network management facility. A network management facility for managing such a communications network consisting of two or more network components, comprising an operating facility for communicating with the network operator which is equipped with at least one input device and at least one output device, and a control facility which is designed to manage all network components independently and which is provided with a first communications facility for exchanging management data with the network components, wherein the control facility is provided with a second communications facility for exchanging data with another network management facility, and that the control facility is designed to receive status information on at least one other communications network by means of the second communications facility and to condition the status information such that the operating facility can make the information accessible to the network operator.

Virtual path routing for survivable ATM networks

Abstract: The advent of high-capacity optical fiber has increased the impact of a network failure in high-speed networks since a large volume of data can be lost even in a short outage. Self-healing algorithms have previosly been proposed to achieve fast restoration from a failure, but their success greatly depends on how traffic is distributed and how spare capacity is dimensioned over the network when a failure happens. Thus, in order to offer better network survivability, it is crucial that a network manager realizes a restorable traffic assignment in response to changing traffic demand and facility network configuration. The authors address the problem of virtual path routing for survivable asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. An algorithm is developed to find a virtual path configuration and bandwidth assignment that minimizes the expected amount of lost flow upon restoration from a network failure. The concept of two-step restoration is introduced to achieve fast restoration as well as optimal reconfiguration. The problem can be formulated as a nonlinear, nonsmooth multicommodity flow problem with linear constraints. A modified flow deviation method is developed to obtain a near-optimal solution, where premature convergence to a nonsmooth point could be avoided by adjusting an optimization parameter. The result of the performance evaluation indicates that the proposed routing scheme can detect the links that are vulnerable to a failure under the current traffic demand pattern and adjust a flow so as to improve the network survivability level.

Apparatus and method for discovering a topology for local area networks connected via transparent bridges

Abstract: A system of discovering the active topology of the LANs (local area networks) connected via any apparent bridges that conform to the IEEE 802.1D standard. A discovered active topology of the present invention consists of the active bridges, the LANs and the NMMs (network management modules) that constitute the bridged LAN. The system of the present invention advantageously utilizes the standard (IEEE 802.1D) defined behaviors of transparent bridges to discover the active topology. In so doing, the present invention does not require the bridges to issue any special proprietary frames for development of the active topology. The IEEE 802.1D conforming bridges have the property of forming a path between two conversing end stations. If the two end stations reside in adjacent LANs, the path between these two LANs only has the connecting bridge and no other LAN in between. The present invention utilizes this property in discovering the complete active topology of a bridged LAN via special communications between NMMs located on the LANs. Via cyclic processing and age out functions, the present invention is able to alter the active topology in response to changes within the bridged LAN.

Hybrid access system having channel allocation and prioritized polling schemes

Abstract: An asymmetric network communication system for use in a client-server environment having independent forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc. for the return channel. Forward and return channels may be located on the same or different communication medium including a CATV network, direct broadcast satellite network, television or radio RF broadcast network, wireless or mobile cellular facilities or the like. The return channel may reside on a PSTN either directly coupled with the host server or connected with the network manager for subsequent transmission to the host server. The network manager handles or controls the forward and return communication to establish interactive full-duplex real-time network sessions between the host and plural client devices. The network manager effects upstream channel allocation in response to channel allocation requests and prioritizes polling wherein the polling cycles or periods differ among respective groups of client devices, depending on their state of operation.

Lotus Notes network design

Abstract: Network design aspects for Lotus Notes replication - the heart of Lotus Notes mail routing gateways dial access for mobile users securing Notes over the network the Internet and Lotus Notes directory services developing corporate standards for Lotus Notes bandwidth requirements network management and monitoring migration from exisitng mail systems useful network tools for notes other notes services over the network examples of enterprise-wide use of notes what the future holds notes over ATM and more.

Interface for telecommunications network management

Abstract: An applications programming interface 20 to a telecommunications management network includes a command language interpreter 24 and a compiler 40. A command string input/output format is provided, the command strings 42 including network management parameters. The interpreter includes interpreter scripts for converting the network management parameters between the command string format and a network management protocol compatible format. The compiler compiles interpreter scripts for encoding and decoding user defined parameter types, which are then loaded dynamically to the interpreter. The interface provides a convenient "command line" API, while at the same time permitting extensions to the interpreter in a dynamic manner.

Method and apparatus for integrated network and systems management

Abstract: A computer system includes a gateway which provides integration between a network management platform and a system management platform. Such a gateway facilitates sharing of network management and system management events and alarms, as well as sharing of network management and system management display views. From the shared events and alarms, each platform may correlate such shared events and alarms with other data available to the platform. Thus, each platform has the advantage of using its own data in combination with data from the other platform to more effectively perform its functionality.

SNMP, SNMPv2, and RMON: Practical Network Management

Abstract: List of Figures. List of Tables. Preface. How to Read this Book. 1. Overview. Network Management Requirements. Network Management Systems. Outline of the Book. Appendix 1A. I. NETWORK MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS. 2. Network Monitoring. Network-Monitoring Architecture. Performance Monitoring. Fault Monitoring. Accounting Monitoring. Summary. Appendix 2A. Queueing Theory Concepts. Appendix 2B. Statistical Analysis Concepts. 3. Network Control. Configuration Control. Security Control. Summary II. SNMPV1. 4. SNMP Network Management Concepts. Background. Basic Concepts. Summary. 5. SNMP Management Information. Structure of Management Information. Practical Issues. Summary. Appendix 5A. TCP Connection States. 6. Standard MIBs. MIB-II. Ethernet Interface MIB. Summary. Appendix 6A. Case Diagrams. Appendix 6B. Addressing. 7. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Basic Concepts. Protocol Specification. Transport-Level Support. SNMP Group. Practical Issues. Summary. Appendix 7A. Lexicographic Ordering. III. RMON. 8. Remote Network Monitoring: Statistics Collection. Basic Concepts. statistics Group. history Group. host Group. hostTopN Group. matrix Group. tokenRing Extensions to RMON. Summary. Appendix 8A. EntryStatus Textual Convention. 9. Remote Network Monitoring: Alarms and Filters. alarm Group. filter Group. Packet capture Group. event Group. Practical Issues. Summary. 10. RMON2. Overview. Protocol Directory Group. Protocol Distribution Group. Address Map Group. RMON2 host Groups. RMON2 matrix Groups. User History Collection Group. Probe Configuration Group. Extensions to RMON1 for RMON2 Devices. Summary. IV. SNMPV2. 11. SNMPv2: Management Information. Background. Structure of Management Information. Summary. Appendix 11A. Row-Status. 12. SNMPv2: Protocol. Protocol Operations. Transport Mappings. Coexistence with SNMPv1. Summary. 13. SNMPv2: MIBs and Conformance. SNMPv2 Management Information Base. Conformance Statements. Evolution of the interfaces Group of MIB-II. Summary. Appendix 13A. TestAndIncr Textual Convention. APPENDICES. A: The TCP/IP Protocol Suite. B: Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1). Glossary. References. List of Acronyms. Index. 0201634791T04062001

Hierarchical network management: a concept and its prototype in SNMPv2

Abstract: The increasing size of networks makes their management more and more difficult. While large networks are already structured hierarchically in two or three layers, network management has not yet moved from flat to hierarchical structures. The resulting problems are discussed in this article. In search for solutions, the deployment of mid-level management tools seems to be a way out of the crisis. By reducing the number of management values with rather low information content and calculating high order values, micro-management tries to reduce the flood of information. This paper presents our solution, namely a prototype SubManager, which is a mid-level tool used to stucture network management hierarchically. Some examples are given to demonstrate its use. Our aproach has the following advantages: (1) Interfaces to both managers and agents conform to SNMPv1 and SNMPv2. (2) The SubManager can easily be integrated into existing network management systems. (3) Compared with other systems already available, our approach is dynamically configurable; this means that new management procedures can be downloaded from a manager at runtime. The result of a network management procedure is higher leyel information which can be used by the management station.

Apparatus for management of SNMP/OSI gateways

Abstract: The gateway apparatus for SNMP/OSI management enables that an SNMP manager manages an OSI management agent, by using a basic conversion of a management operation and a management information between SNMP and CMIP and by using a cache, a replica and a link object.

Fixed wireless terminals with network management method and apparatus

Abstract: A network management method and appartus for wireless terminals. The method and apparatus comprises a new generation of wireless terminals having digital signal processors that can monitor the operating characteristics of the associated wireless terminals and report those characteristics to a network management computer. The network management computer receives communications from the wireless terminals and takes corrective action for out-of-specification conditions and updates the associated DSPs with corrections and flexible dialing instructions. The network management computer also gathers utililization statistics reported to it by the wireless terminals. The wireless terminals can be initialized by direct connection to the wireless terminal with a simple telephone instrument or can be initialized over the air by the network management computer.

The Definitions of Managed Objects for IP Mobility Support using SMIv2

Abstract: This memo defines the Management Information Base (MIB) for use with network management protocols in TCP/IP-based internets. In particular, it describes managed objects used for managing the Mobile Node, Foreign Agent and Home Agent of the Mobile IP Protocol.

Method and system for priortizing and filtering traps from network devices

Abstract: Traps from network devices are filtered and prioritized. Filtering and prioritization can be performed on specific types of traps, traps from specific devices and traps from specific enterprises. Filtering is performed to reduce the number of traps that are processed, and prioritization is performed to indicate the relative importance of the traps. The filtering and prioritization can be performed by a trap daemon, which is executed by a network manager. Priorities and filters can be assigned to the traps, devices and enterprises by a network administrator. This provides the network administrator with great flexibility in managing the traps according to the situation at hand.

Method of charging for the use of a telecommunications service, as well as a switching system, a service control point, and a network management facility

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for charging for the use of a telecommunication service, as well as to a switching system, a service control point and a network management facility. A service request is transmitted from asubscriber (A) via a telecommunication network (KN) of a network operator to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of the service provider. A charge unit (BILL) of the network operator administers the charge collection for the use of the telecommunication service. The service-providing unit (SAPP1) provides the requested telecommunication service only after receipt of a confirmation messagefrom a authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator. The charge message (M6) with data relating to a charge for using the telecommunication service is transferred from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to the charge unit (BILL) and the charge unit (BILL) collects the charge after the confirmation message has been received.

Method and system for the interception and control of the computer boot process

Abstract: A method, implemented as a computer program in a digital computer system, for interrupting, modifying and/or controlling the boot process of a computer, automatically (without manual intervention) across a computer network. When a network manager needs to install software, test, maintain or gather information concerning one or more of the computer systems on the network, this invention permits the network manager to take control of the networked computer during its boot process, and in so doing to reconfigure both the networked computer's hardware and software, and to do so remotely. When fully implemented an entire network may be automatically controlled and tested remotely, all networked computers simultaneously or in sequence. An important improvement over methods of modifying the boot process which require manual intervention on individual computers or which require the use of expensive special purpose hardware devices which must be installed within each networked computer. In the best mode of operation, the method of this invention is performed on standard digital computer hardware through the use of special computer programs.

Performance management issues in ATM networks: traffic and congestion control

Abstract: The goal is first to introduce performance monitoring aspects of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks and then to focus on traffic and congestion control schemes. To deal with this performance monitoring management, a framework for defining a generic intelligent and integrated model for network management is described. As an example of the efficiency of this intelligent management architecture, we measure the performance of a new congestion control scheme. This scheme uses the cell loss priority (CLP) bit, the explicit forward congestion indicator and the explicit backward congestion indicator. The intelligent management uses different parameters and builds a complex but efficient control scheme. We show that this new control scheme allows performance to be increased by an order of magnitude.

Hybrid access system employing packet suppression scheme

Abstract: An asymmetric network communication system having a packet and an acknowledgment packet suppression system for use in a client-server environment having forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc. for the return channel. Forward and return channels may be located on the same or different communication medium including a CATV network, direct broadcast satellite network, television or radio RF broadcast network, wireless or mobile cellular facilities or the like. The return channel may reside on a PSTN either directly coupled with the host server or connected with the network manager for subsequent transmission to the host server. The network manager handles or controls the forward and return communication to establish interactive full-duplex real-time network sessions between the host and a selected client device. Acknowledgment and/or other data packets are enqueued before transmission and are deleted from the queue to suppress their transmission if they are redundant to previously transmitted and acknowledged packets.

Monitoring and control of ATM networks using special cells

Abstract: This article describes a framework for monitoring and controlling ATM networks based on the use of management cells. By management cells we refer to a broad class of special cells that circulate around the network to perform a variety of useful functions for monitoring and optimizing the operation of the network. The proposed framework includes current ATM-layer OAM (operations and maintenance) methods as well as new mechanisms for more sophisticated long-term network management. This article explores various existing and new uses of management cells for performance monitoring, traffic control, fault management, and network administration.