🚀 go-pugleaf

NONE of the following is to be construed as an official position
or opinion of my current employer...

Short answer....based loosely on OSI/Network Management forum...

   Fault Management
   Configuration Management
   Performance Management
   Accounting Management
   Security Management


First a word about providers...

There are several Network Management providers....each has
differing views of what Network Management is...and is not.

This takes the broader view...of a more complete package..this
view eliminates Netmaster, etc, as it lacks the broad spectrum
of capabilities of a real network manager...

IBM's Netview (tm) is the granddaddy.  Release 3 and later
versions are quite formidable in their capabilities( earlier
versions, IMHO, were glorified VTAM operator facilities..
Netview allows true two-way control and communications...network
elements with electronic identifiers may use Netview's
facilities to provide a full network configuration database of
ALL elements, links, hardware components, software components,
etc.   A facility to automate microcode and code updates is
included.  A graphic user interface is available....   the full
capabilities of Netview and it's "Common Repository" concept are
too great to detail here...
IBM has excellent documentation, including PC-based self study
tutorials on Netview....see any sales office.

AT&T has the UNMA, the implementing product is Accumaster
Integrator.  This product makes somewhat (IMHO) better use of
the graphic user interface than does Netview, and has somewhat
better facilities and flexibility for connection of "foreign"
networks, managers, and facilities.  (As opposed to Netview/PC)

Both Netview and Accumaster address OSI, although in somewhat
differing views.  The major difference between Netview and
Accumaster is that Netview (personal opinion here) views a
network as a bunch of applications mysteriously glued together
with data links and hardware.  Netviews tools tend to reflect
this somewhat--they are formidable at resolving application and
session layer difficulties--not too great at resolving
(accurately) telecom facility problems.  Accumaster tends to
view a network as a bunch of telecom facilities with the hosts
just another chunk of hardware interfacing to the telecom
facilities....and the (current) tools provide formidable
facility management and not as elegant applications or session
tools...  (views are mine--as a user of both)  

Netview has one formidable advantage over competitors,
particularly UNIX based systems...   Netview actually emerged
from earlier problem reporting tools which are actually
implemented in the Operating System's kernel.  Unix has no
inherent kernel-implemented error logging and reporting facility
which compares with EREP...although it would not be rocket
science to modify the Unix kernel to include same

A dream Net Management package would include a combination of
Accumaster and Netview.  

o There is the forthcoming OSI Network Management architecture
    which is intended to replace the (largely 1-way) alert and
    reporting mechanisms of SNMP based on TCP/IP.   This OSI NM
    architecture is intended to provide the five basics of
    network management:

    -  Fault Management.  This will range from detecting,
       reporting, up through help desk, trouble ticket
       management, even including fault isolation and recovery.
       Transient and persistent faults are addressed.
       The ability to filter, enable, and inhibit alarms is
       included.  Also included is the ability to request
       self-testing or QOS testing upon schedule or command.

    -  Configuration Management.  This includes ALL components
       of the network...  hardware, links, as well as software.  
       Configuration includes all components AND their status.
       There are 4 subcategories..

       Network State Information.  This includes the network
       element connectivity (topology), element operational
       status, distribution AND configuration of equipment, and
       availability (operational status) of network
       resources...applications, ports, links, etc.  Also
       included would be performance measurements and accounting
       info.

       Modification of Network Attributes.  This allows addition
       of new features to an existing network or tuning of
       network operations.  


       Configuration Modification.  This allows new network
       resources and capabilities to be added, allocation of
       resources to network elements and/or users, as well as
       dynamic reconfiguration for outages or performance.

       Inventory Management.  This allows control and management
       of the physical pieces of the network (including
       software).   Facilities are provided to include such
       information as type, vendor, location, revision levels,
       and functional criticality.  This should include   

	  Detailed history such as Type, Serial Number, License
	  Number, Location, Vendor, etc.

	  Financial Information on ownership, warranty, contract
	  status, cross-billing charges, etc.

	  Historical Information on revision changes, prior
	  fault reports, location changes, previous recovery
	  action etc.  

	Directory Maintenance.  This would include all hosts,
	applications, network addresses, access priveleges,
	security access privileges, service levels, etc.

    - Performance Management.  Provides tools and functions to
      measure and report on the behavior of network
      elements,,,hardware, links, software, etc..   This
      includes the 3 basic features of response time, rejection
      rates, and availability per cent.  Also included are
      aggregate throughput accounting, user useage accounting,
      etc.

    -  Accounting Management.  Provides user-oriented tools to
       measure and provide accounting information based on
       individual users or groups.  This includes the ability to
       set and alter accounting limits associated with the use
       of network resources.

     -  Security Management.  Provides for the addition,
	deletion, and modification of security services
	mechanisms and tools.  Also provides for the
	distribution and management of security related
	information as well as the reporting of all security
	related events.