CIM and XML in network management

Abstract

The use of Directory Enabled Networks (DENs) simplifies the tasks of network administrators. DEN uses directory as a special purpose database that contains information about the nodes, or devices, attached to a network. The directory is structured around network objects: users, applications, printers, file servers, switches, routers, remote access servers, etc. For each object there is a set of attributes stored in the database. Directory support for device configuration management will enable network devices to retrieve their configuration parameters from a directory server, rather than requiring the network manager to perform box-by-box configuration. The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) Common Information Model (CIM) presents a consistent view of the managed environment that is independent of the various protocols and data formats used by those devices and applications. It can be used to describe network objects. The thesis presents detailed description of DEN and CIM. It also introduces XML (eXtensible Markup Language), which is powerful enough to express complex data structures to satisfy the need of complex applications. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)