Critical success factors for managing LANs are methodology, tools, and human resources. Principal activity areas for a network manager are network-operational control, network administration, network analysis and tuning, and network-capacity planning [4]. With regard to functionality, management activities have been classified into the following five categories [3]: fault management, accounting management, configuration and name management, performance management, and security management.
In a great number of different project groups, students and researchers, spread over the three institutes (ZGDV, GRIS and IGD), there is a great number of heterogeneous computer configurations. Efficient usage of resources is very important. A large number of different heterogeneous computers are interconnected. The implementation of a multi-vendor, multi-protocol LAN has created a difficult problem in the area of network management.
Different tools and software packages, both in the public domain and proprietary, are used for different areas of LAN management. To mention some: AutoCad, SunNet Manager, MS Word, Interleaf, FrameMaker, Xfig, MS Access, Ingress, Oracle, Lotus, Corel Draw, etc. The first step toward efficient network management was the introduction of a graphics based information system about available resources and the introduction of improved user accounts management through NIS (formerly Yellow Pages) for unix based systems.
Real-time performance management is realized with the SunNet Manager [5]. SunNet Manager provides an integrated set of end-user tools and management services that let users automate the management of multi-vendors networks. For the network manager, they increase productivity through point-and-click management operations and provide a visual representation of network resource layout and activity. The network manager can solve many types of management problems, including: configuration, fault identification and diagnosis, network resource monitoring and control, capacity planning and management.
Faced with a great number of problems and faults on the local area network one trouble-ticket service is being introduced (Access Request System from Remedy Corporation). The Action Request System is a client-server application that manages the resolution of problems and supports requests for the LAN. It integrates with the network management system to bridge the gap between automatic monitoring facilities and support workgroup management processes. The Action Request System has powerful features for end users, support staff, and staff management. Features include automatic problem submission, user customizable views, SQL database support, pro-active notification via a desktop beeper and fully documented API.
To cope with computer heterogeneity and to provide students with as simple a configuration as possible between different workstations, a common user interface was introduced. The interface is based on the MIT X11 windows system releases R5 and Motif/OSF.
It is obvious that in the LAN management there is generally an information management problem because of the following:
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