Network Management Functions

Overview

• Network management consists of several essential functions for operations, maintenance, fault finding, and security.

Key Functions

1. Performance Management (PM)

• Deals with monitoring and management functionalities of various parameters.
• Measures the performance of a network.
• Essential for:
  • Providing quality of service to clients.
  • Ensuring client compliance with service provider requirements.
  • Providing input to other network management functions, especially when abnormal conditions are detected.

2. Fault Management

• Responsible for detecting failures and isolating failed components.
• Restores disrupted traffic due to network or node failures.
• Plays a crucial role in maintaining network performance during failures.

3. Configuration Management

• Manages orderly changes in the network.
• Includes:
  • Tracking network equipment.
  • Managing the addition or removal of equipment.
  • Rerouting traffic as needed.
  • Handling software versions of network equipment.
• Connection Management:
  • Setting up, taking down, and tracking connections in the network.
  • Functions can be centralized through management systems.

4. Adoption Management

• Converts external client signals entering the optical layer into appropriate internal signals.

5. Security Management

• Involves administrative functions such as:
  • User authentication
  • Setting user permissions (read/write)
• Network is divided into:
  • Vertical Domains: Users access specific network elements only.
    • Example: A local technician may access only the elements they are responsible for.
  • Horizontal Domains: Users access parameters across network elements (e.g., routers, switches).
    • Example: Users may create light paths for data transmission, accessing performance parameters across nodes.

6. Accounting Management

• Responsible for billing and maintaining historical data of network components.
• Similar function across optical networks and other types of networks.

Conclusion

• The various network management functions are critical for the effective operation and security of network systems.