Page 386 - Handbook of Modern Telecommunications

Network Management and Administration 3-177

Data Structures
Management Management
Processes Databases Applications
Files
Logs

Supervision Configuring Access Integration

Installation MIB Loading Backup Housekeeping

FIGu RE 3.7.3 Overview of management operations support services.

collection and processing of management-related information. All framework processes, including those
that are part of the development environment, are coordinated through additional framework compo-
nents commonly called management operations support services. These services are also responsible for
application integration with framework services and for multiple national language systems support.
Management frameworks are basically sets of interconnected software programs that run on one or
more computing platforms. Management operations support services provide supervision, coordina-
tion, maintenance, and management of the processes, applications, and databases that are part of the
management framework. The requirements of management operations support services are as follows
(MORR00):
• Facilitating interactions between framework services
• Allowing overall coordination and supervision of background processes
• Supporting integration between management services
• Allowing configuration and customization of framework services and associated processes
• Supporting registration of management applications that run on management platforms
• Providing easy integration of management applications with framework services
• Supporting multiple national language systems
• Facilitating incorporation of management information models into frameworks
• Supporting installation of framework services and management applications
• Supporting MIB loading, backup, and cleanup facilities
• Supporting distribution of management framework services and associated databases
This list of requirements indicates that management operations support services play a critical role in
monitoring, administration, and management of the management framework itself.
Management operations support services are characterized by a layered architecture. The upper
layer consists of management processes, data structures, and management applications (MORR00).
The middle layer includes important support functions such as supervision and synchronization of
management processes, configuring processes and databases, access to databases and files, and inte-
gration between framework services and management applications. The lower layer consists of tools,
supporting installation, MIB loading, backups, and other general housekeeping functions. Figure 3.7.3
shows these layers.

3.7.3 Management Applications
Application platforms are powerless without management applications. These applications, which are
provided by equipment vendors or by ISVs, serve various purposes.