Web Based Monitoring and Management: RE: WBMM> Differences

RE: WBMM> Differences

From: TAYLOR,BOB (HP-Vancouver,ex1) (bobt@hp.com)
Date: Mon Feb 10 2003 - 14:18:32 EST

  • Next message: Wagner,William: "RE: WBMM> WBMM requirements"

    As for HTTP/XML/SOAP (& WSDL, XSD, etc.), I suspect there is some notion of
    a requirement there that we need to be more explicit about. I think part of
    the justification for this effort (at least from HP) is alignment with the
    new round of IT & management technologies, for a variety of reasons - align
    management with other web services oriented work (e.g., PSI), better align
    with broader IT management technology directions, etc.. My point is that I
    don't think we're actually neutral on this. We may want to consider other
    alternatives, but part of our requirements will likely include an explicit
    bias toward a set of technology "answers" that we need to align with.
     
    bt

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Harry Lewis [mailto:harryl@us.ibm.com]
    Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 9:38 PM
    To: Wagner,William
    Cc: wbmm@pwg.org
    Subject: RE: WBMM> Differences

    Sounds to me like we are nearly in violent agreement. I thought it was you
    who coined the phrase "MIB replacement" in the thread.. so I was just trying
    to speak your language. I agree we should probably articulate the charter
    such that reasonable alternatives may be considered or discovered... but I
    think we should also acknowledge all 3 or 4 most vocal and interested
    parties (so far) seem to "anticipate" the application of HTTP and XML to get
    the job done. When we built the (very successful) Printer MIB standard... we
    did not embark in a vague or general direction... I feel being as specific
    as we can about our goal will help us achieve better results sooner.
    ----------------------------------------------
    Harry Lewis
    IBM Printing Systems
    ----------------------------------------------

            "Wagner,William" <WWagner@NetSilicon.com>
    Sent by: owner-wbmm@pwg.org

    02/08/2003 06:49 PM

            
            To: Harry Lewis/Boulder/IBM@IBMUS
            cc: <wbmm@pwg.org>
            Subject: RE: WBMM> Differences

    Harry,

    At least we both agree with Cathy.

    To answer your questions:

    a. Replacing MIBs as an object itself would inherently self justify the
    effort. However, as a part of a solution, the need for such an effort must
    be justified.

    b. You can define a PWG activity which, for the various reasons you have
    cited, determines that developing a replacement for MIBs is a justifiable
    object in itself. Quite frankly, I am not sure that I even understand what
    you mean by a replacement for MIBs, and I suggest that some examples may
    help.

    Regardless, at this point, your own position is that we have not adequately
    scoped out the WBMM. Therefore, to preserve some order, I suggest that we
    should not be considering solutions to a problem we have not defined, but
    continue in an orderly way to scope out the objective.

    Indeed, even though I would agree that I see little alternative to HTTP,
    probably XML, and quite possible SOAP as being components of the solution, I
    would not define these in the objectives or even the requirements. Nor would
    I refuse to entertain alternate ideas if reasonable ones were offered.
    Again, I think that short-circuits the development process.

    Bill Wagner

                    -----Original Message-----
                    From: Harry Lewis [mailto:harryl@us.ibm.com]
                    Sent: Fri 2/7/2003 3:28 PM
                    To: Wagner,William
                    Cc: wbmm@pwg.org
                    Subject: RE: WBMM> Differences
                    
                    

                    Whether we define a "replacement for MIBs" as the result of
    "establishing a transport, protocol and format as part of the solution" ...
    or we do it because it is justifiable in itself... what's the difference?
                    
                    I wold argue it IS justifiable for reasons I cited in an
    earlier post.. not the least of which is resolving some of the force fitting
    we did with the MIB (ex. MIB-II, hrMIB)... (ex. "magic decode ring").
                    
                    Also, there are multiple models today (CIM, SNMP, NPAP etc.)
    which it would be good to consolidate
                    
                    Also, this is an opportunity for the PWG to address MFP
    function which we've shied from for, probably, too long.
                    ----------------------------------------------
                    Harry Lewis
                    IBM Printing Systems
                    ----------------------------------------------
                    
                    
                    
                    "Wagner,William" <WWagner@NetSilicon.com>

    02/07/2003 01:09 PM

           
           To: Harry Lewis/Boulder/IBM@IBMUS, <wbmm@pwg.org>
           cc:
           Subject: RE: WBMM> Differences

                    Identifying and resolving differences, and coming to
    consensus is one of the main functions of a working group. So let see where
    the differences really lie.
                      
                    I believe that scenarios add some specific to the general
    statements of scope. Harry has outlined one, or maybe two here. I solicit
    from whomever has an opinion on this whatever other scenarios they would
    like addressed by this working group.
                      
                     I certainly agree that "management across the firewall" is
    the basis for multiple scenarios. To me, the basic problem to be solved.
                      
                    But is " standard protocol and NEW data model" to be taken
    as an objective in itself , or is it part of the solution to the first?
                      
                    Certainly, establishing a transport, a protocol, a format
    all need to be defined as part of the solution. If there is a difference
    between me and my fellow officers, it is that I do not agree that
    establishing a replacement for MIBs (as has been cited earlier) is
    justifiable as an objective in itself. Further, I am not convinced that it
    will be a necessary part of the solution.... it may be, but that needs to be
    demonstrated.
                      
                    It may be that the "differences" are just a matter of
    semantics. I certainly do not suggest that ASN.1 be used to convey
    management data...but it isn't used now either. What is communicated over
    SNMP is the OID and the value.
                      
                    So I suggest that we start talking examples and scenarios to
    better define the scope and objectives. Then we can sort through them and
    see how to proceed.
                      
                    Unfortunately, we are now in the middle of a snow storm and
    I must fight my way home, so my contribution will have to wait a while. But
    please, take advantage of the New England weather and beat me to the punch!
                      
                    Bill Wagner
                      
                      
                    -----Original Message-----
                    From: Harry Lewis [mailto:harryl@us.ibm.com]
                    Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 2:41 PM
                    To: wbmm@pwg.org
                    Subject: WBMM> Differences
                    
                    
                    I'd like to try and resolve some of the (unfortunate)
    differences we are having regarding Charter, Scope, Requirements.
                    
                    From what I can decipher, there is a well established
    interest in solving the problem "I've been getting at my (device)
    management data remotely, within my enterprise just fine... but, now, how
    can I access it across the firewall" (maybe to provide services to multiple
    enterprises etc.).
                    
                    Others also want to solve... "... and what is the standard
    protocol and data model that lends itself to the web services environment
    that may be employed by proxy servers and/or directly in the embedded
    device".
                    
                    Of course, we will have legacy SNMP devices to manage for
    quite some time but I don't think the current existence of SNMP is the
    answer to the 2nd question.
                    ----------------------------------------------
                    Harry Lewis
                    IBM Printing Systems
                    ----------------------------------------------
                    



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