NMS Frameworks

An NMS framework is an application that is designed to be the core network management application and allows integration with other network management applications. NMS frameworks tend to provide more than one of the functions covered in this chapter. Often, network administrators will start with an NMS framework and then enhance it with additional applications that when combined give them a more comprehensive network management solution.

Typically, an NMS framework application provides the following base functionality:

• Integration with other applications

• IP auto-discovery

• Layer 3 map generation

• Device and link status

• SNMP Trap reception and logging

A network management framework may provide some or all of the capabilities shown in Figure 9-1.

The first and most important quality to look for in an NMS framework is the capability to integrate with other applications. With network management, you need the capability to combine best-in-class applications that are appropriate for your particular network. The goal of integration is to tie various applications into a seamless whole and reduce redundant functionality.

Some of the criteria that you will want to use to determine the best NMS framework for your environment include the following (the more important criteria are higher up in the list):

• Capability to integrate with planned and existing applications in your shop

• Support for your particular network equipment

• Capability to scale support for the number of network devices in your network

• Application reliability and performance

• Ease of use and maintenance

• Operating system and platform support

Often, network administrators will also expect the NMS framework to provide many other capabilities such as a knowledge base, network discovery, availability monitoring, and event collection. With a flexible tool, the network administrator can choose to use the capabilities built into the NMS framework and yet be able to choose another tool for a specific area if they determine that a more capable tool is required for their environment.

An issue with integrating products together is that it can be hard to find versions of each tool that all support each other. And once you do find an assemblage of tools that work together, it can be difficult to upgrade to newer versions. Hopefully, newer methods of integrating tools, such as CIM/XML, will allow a more robust integration that won't be as sensitive to software versions.

Some of the available NMS frameworks, spanning a wide range of prices and capabilities include the following (in alphabetical order):

• Aprisma Spectrum

• Bullsoft OpenMaster

• Castle Rock SNMPc Enterprise Edition

• Computer Associates Unicenter TNG

• Fujitsu SystemWalker

• Hewlett-Packard OpenView Network Node Manager

• Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold

• Tivoli NetView