Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing
Patent
1995-10-18
2000-08-08
Follansbee, John A.
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
709249, G06F 1516
Patent
active
061015385
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Generic Managed Object Model for a LAN Domain, and in particular a model which includes the capability of dealing with ports and routers.
2. Related Art
Current svstems incorporating managed object models are rather limited as to the amount of control provided to the user, and also the amount of information on the internetwork system which is provided. Currently agreed standards for managed object models are presently inadequate, and there are no agreed standards whatsoever for the interface via which a network manager, controlling an internetwork, may communicate with the individual element managers which form part of the internetwork.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an internetwork svstems comprising a plurality of interlinked computer networks each network having an associated manager arranged to communicate with elements on its respective network via a first network management protocol, and at least some managers including means for converting from the first network management protocol to a second protocol and further including means for communicating via the second protocol with a network manager, the network manager including control and information means arranged to allow a user of the system to control an element by issuing a command at the network manager and/or to view information on the status, configuration and/or performance of the element.
The network manager may include a database, arranged to store a model of the internetwork. The model may be stored as a managed object class model, according to the Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP). As an alternative (but not preferred) embodiment, it could be envisaged that the managers and the network manager might communicate via SNMP, with the conversion from SNMP to CMIP being carried out by the network manager. Also, it would be possible for the managers to communicate with their respective routers and other elements using some protocol other than SNMP. The elements may be routers, bridges, hubs, WAN managers, LAN managers or other elements.
The internetwork may include alarm means for raising an alarm against a particular element and passing that information on to the network manager. Port alarm means may also be provided for raising an alarm against an individual port, or an individual line, or a particular router. The internetwork may also provide means for collecting performance information related to a particular router, and/or for ascertaining the configuration may be passed on to the network manager where it may be displayed graphically, in text from, or by means of auditory alarms. Means may also be provided for controlling a router and/or its ports via the network manager.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be carried into practice in a number of waves, and one specific embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an internetwork system as a whole;
FIG. 2 shows the interface between the network manager and the individual element manager LAN;
FIG. 3 is an example of how information might be organized within the network manager;
FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a generalised version of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a further schematic view of the internetwork system;
FIG. 6 shows in schematic form a managed object class;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram;
FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of part of the internetwork system;
FIG. 9 shows a managed object model class structure used in the internetwork system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Turning first to FIG. 1, an exemplary internetwork system comprises first and second local area networks. 10, 12, linked by appropriate data cabling 14. Each LAN has its own separate proprietary element manager 16, 18. Each LAN may operate according to its own protocol: for example the LAN 10 might use the token ring system and the LAN 12 might be an ethernet
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British Telecommunications public limited company
Follansbee John A.
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