A Novel Approach to Developing Object-Oriented Network Management Applications

Network management software development is complex and presents several challenges. This paper describes a novel approach to building object-oriented network management software applications, based on work done by the author at the WilTel Advanced Technology Group. The SNMP adaptor object and the Distributor palette object are described; these objects enable an end-user to create a custom network management application and access information from remote SNMP-manageable devices without programming. Due to the flexibility provided by the SNMP adaptor and Distributor palette objects, the enduser can readily refine the application iteratively; the (possibly non-technical) end-user essentially becomes the application designer. This approach to developing network management software greatly reduces application development time, increases productivity and enables the user to adapt the software in real-time to a rapidly changing network environment in a network crisis situation.