Protocol Agent Unified Information Model Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems in multi-protocol environments face challenges due to the inability of SNMP-compatible information models to fully match the internal architecture of communication systems, leading to inefficiencies in managing systems that use different management protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for generating protocol agents that facilitate communication between managed systems and management systems by creating a unified information model and protocol agents, which include mappings between hardware models and protocol models, enabling support for multiple management protocols and decoupling system hardware from protocol agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an SNMP-compatible information model is used to manage communication systems, then compatibility with standard management protocols is improved, but the ability to fully match the internal architecture of the communication system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an information model translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the SNMP-compatible information model and the communication system's internal architecture. This translation layer maps SNMP management information base (MIB) objects to the system's actual hardware and software components, enabling both standard protocol compatibility and accurate representation of the system's internal structure without requiring direct correspondence between the two models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the information model into multiple layers: the SNMP-compatible external interface layer and the internal system architecture layer. By dividing the information model representation, the system can maintain standard SNMP compatibility at the external interface while independently representing the actual internal architecture, thus resolving the contradiction between protocol compatibility and architecture matching
2Ease of manufacture
If a unified information model is enforced for all management protocols, then standardization is improved, but the ability to accommodate protocol-specific information models deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal information model framework that can accommodate multiple protocol-specific information models. The framework defines a common structure and translation mechanisms that work across different protocols (SNMP, CMIP, TL1, etc.), allowing each protocol to maintain its own information model characteristics while benefiting from standardized management functions and reducing the need for separate implementation efforts for each protocol
3Ease of operation
If protocol agents are tightly coupled to system hardware, then direct access to hardware is improved, but the need for modifications when hardware changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hardware abstraction layer as an intermediary between protocol agents and system hardware. This abstraction layer provides standardized interfaces and translation mechanisms that allow protocol agents to access hardware functionality without being directly coupled to specific hardware implementations. When hardware changes occur, only the abstraction layer needs to be updated, not the protocol agents themselves, thus reducing modification frequency while maintaining direct hardware access capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes method and apparatus for generating a protocol agent adapted to facilitate communications between a managed system and at least one management system. The method includes generating an implementation of a unified information model from an information model specification and generating the protocol agent from a protocol specification. The protocol specification includes first mappings to the information model specification and the protocol agent includes second mappings to the implementation of the unified information model. The second mappings are formed using the first mappings. The information model specification includes a model of hardware of the managed system. The implementation of the unified information model includes a plurality of logical entities, wherein the logical entities represent a plurality of physical entities of the managed system. The protocol specification includes a model of a protocol. The protocol agent includes a plurality of protocol entities.