Network Management

1 Abstract DECnet/OSI Phase V incorporates a new network management architecture based on Digital's Enterprise Management Architecture (EMA). The EMA entity model was developed to manage all entities in a consistent manner, structuring any manageable component regardless of its internal complexity. The DNA CMIP management protocol was developed in conjunction with the model to express the basic concepts in the entity model. Phase V network management is extensible; the Phase V management architecture transparently assimilates new devices and technologies. Phase V was designed to be an open architecture. Management of DECnet/OSI Phase V components is effective in a multivendor network. Network management has been an integral part of DECnet since 1976 when Phase II was developed.[1] Even at that early stage of the DECnet architecture, an effective management capability was recognized as an essential part of an organized approach to networking. Now in DECnet Phase V, the DECnet network management architecture has undergone a major revision based on Digital's Enterprise Management Architecture (EMA). This paper gives an overview of some of the key features and functions of EMA and of DECnet Phase V network management. See the "Overview of Digital's Open Networking" paper in this issue for an overview of the guiding principles, background, and architecture of DECnet Phase V.[2] Our initial work on Phase V indicated that changes were needed in the network management architecture to support the broad range of networking functions planned for Phase V. First, network managers would have to be able to manage all the Phase V components in a consistent manner. A method was needed to build Phase V management components that would give the same general look and feel and the same modeling approach to all components. Second, Phase V network management would have to be extensible. The Phase V network architecture was being designed to allow the use of multiple modules that would provide the same or similar services at each layer and to simultaneously support multiple-layer protocols in a network. Therefore, we designed the Phase V management architecture to transparently assimilate new devices and technologies. Our management architecture had to become as extensible as the network architecture. Finally, since Phase V was designed to be an open architecture, management of Phase V components would have to be effective in a multivendor network. Our design had to ensure that the ability to provide effective management of network components was independent of the …