The deployment of communications networks and distributed computing systems requires the use of open, standards-based, integrated management systems. During the last five years, the overall industry effort to develop, enhance, and integrate man agement systems has crystallized in the concept of management platforms. Manage ment platforms are software systems which provide open, multi vendor, multiprotocol distributed management services. They allow multiple management applications to run over core platform services which constitute the essential part of the management platform framework. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the features and technical character istics of distributed management platforms by examining both qualitative and quanti tative management capabilities required by each management platform service. The analysis covers the management platform run-time environment, the operational aspects of using management platforms, the development environment, which con sists of software toolkits that are used to build management applications, the imple mentation environment, which deals with testing interoperability aspects of using management platforms, and of course the distributed applications services which plat forms make available to management applications. Finally, the analysis covers the capabilities of several management applications, either generic or specific to devices or resources which run on top of management platforms.
This book provides a comprehensive methodology for analysis and evaluation of technical characteristics and features of distributed networks and systems management platforms. The analysis covers management platforms run-time, development, and implementation environments. Operability, scalability, interoperability, and aspects of applications portability are discussed.Topics include: open systems and distributed management platforms; analysis of management platform components such as graphical user interface, event management, communications, object manipulation, database management, hardware, operating systems, distributed directory, security and time services; in-depth analysis of network and systems management applications; comprehensive evaluation of Bull ISM/OpenMaster, Cabletron Spectrum, Cambio Networks (COMMAND), Computer Associates CA-Unicenter, DEC TeMIP and PolyCenter NetView, HP OpenView, IBM NetView for AIX and TMN WorkBench for AIX Applications Development Environment, Microsoft SMS, Network Management Forum SPIRIT, Remedy Corporation ARS, Sun Solstice Enterprise Manager and SunNet Manager, and Tivoli TME management platforms and their applications; state-of-the-art in distributed management technology; network and systems management standards; and, practical information on evaluating and selecting management platforms.
"Networks and Systems Management: Platforms Analysis and Evaluation" is a technical reference work on distributed management platforms for network operators, systems administrators, computer engineers, network designers, developers and planners. It can also be used as an advanced level textbook or reference work in courses on operation and management of data communications, telecommunications and distributed computing systems.
