A Pattern System for Network Management Interfaces

By: R.K. Keller, J. Tessier, G. von Bochmann

Example uses of patterns in a framework for network management interfaces--the middle layer of a network management system.

Published in: CACM, Sept. 1998
Pages: 86-93

Url: http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/labs/gelo/layla/

Example uses of patterns in a framework for network management interfaces--the middle layer of a network management system.

Related patterns: Adapter [Gamma+95], Composite [Gamma+95], Mediator [Gamma+95], Proxy [Gamma+95],

Category: Communications, Distributed Systems, Networks

Pattern: Manager-Agent

In a large system of collaborating components, a central manager often controls the components. To reduce complexity, isolate management functionality in one or more manager objects, partition the set of components into subsets, and define individual agent objects that represent each subset. Each manager will interact with several agents and each agent can report to more than one manager.

• Manager
• An agent functions as an Adapter [Gamma+95] for its subset of components.
• Use Mediator [Gamma+95] to maintain the relationships between managers and agents.
• Broker [Buschmann+96] or Remote Operation can provide location transparency.

Pattern: Managed Object

You have to manage a collection of entities that may have different interfaces with different features. There may be a hierarchical or containment relationship among the entities. To create a uniform interface for representing and controlling the resources, for each entity use a managed object to translate its interface to one that is shared by all the entities.

Pattern: Remote Operation

To minimize location dependencies in a distributed system, encapsulate all network interactions in stub objects on the client and server sides. The client stub and the server stub communicate with each other using connection and message instances specific to the network under consideration. The invoker and performer interact with their respective stubs.

• This pattern is a refinement of Proxy [Gamma+95].

Category: Client-Server, Communications, Distributed Systems, Networks