Web Based Monitoring and Management: RE: WBMM>Tues 4 March 4

RE: WBMM>Tues 4 March 4pm EST Scope and Starting Point Conferenc e call

From: McDonald, Ira (imcdonald@sharplabs.com)
Date: Fri Feb 28 2003 - 17:26:12 EST

  • Next message: Wagner,William: "RE: WBMM> RE: Scope and Starting Point"

    Hi,

    This is just clarifying that (as per Bill's previous notes), the
    time of WBMM telecon is:

    4pm EST / 1pm PST Tuesday 4 March

    Cheers,
    - Ira McDonald
      High North Inc

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Wagner,William [mailto:WWagner@NetSilicon.com]
    Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 10:22 AM
    To: 'Wbmm (E-mail)
    Subject: WBMM>Tues 4 March 4pm EST Scope and Starting Point Conference call

    There will be a WBMM telephone conference call.

        Time: 4:00 PM 4 March 2003

        Call-in US: 1-877-628-1350

        Call-in International: 1-712-421-1160
        Participant Identification number: 415259
    Agenda:
        Attendees
        Review of Agenda
        Review/modify list of issues
            1. WBMM Objective
            2. Necessity of new management Model to replace MIBS
            3. Management Interface Client/Monitor Server Architecture using
    HTTP over port 80
            4. Need for alignment with other similar or related activities.
        
        Discuss Issues

        Issue Consideration
            statement of Issue
            pro position
            con position
            possible compromise
            Action items/resolution

        Next steps

            Next conference call
            Review of action items

    Discussion of Issues

     Issue 1

     Is the WBMM objective just to support extra-enterprise data acquisition
    facilities as described in the proposed charter, or also to support as of
    yet undefined intra enterprise management capabilities on the level at or
    exceeding existing SNMP capabilities?
     A. pro position:
        1. if we're going to the trouble to define a new protocol/model for
    "external" that is going to eventually cover most of what we use SNMP for
    internally, I want to be able to use it internally as well.
        2. It would be good to address some of the scars remaining with the
    printer MIB as we define a new protocol, data format etc., taken from a
    client [consumer] view this time around

    B. Con position
        1. it is not clear that we need to design a new printer (or imaging
    device) management model for the extra-enterprise function of WBMM. The
    contention that since we are doing it anyway, lets add a requirement that
    makes the new model necessary, is a circular argument
        2. the requirements for limited external management are very different
    and in some cases contradictory to the requirements for internal local
    device (or service)management

    C. Possible compromise
    If it is decided that the intra enterprise functionality is necessary or
    that a dual use is efficient and desirable, the efforts may be partitioned
    both in development and in operation so that the differing requirements can
    be addressed separately and implemented independently.

    D. Action Items: Need a definition of use instances and a consideration of
    requirements and restrictions for intra-enterprise application

    Issue 2:

    Is the definition of a new imaging device/service model, at a level to to
    replace the MIB, a necessary part of the WBMM effort?

    A. Pro position:
        1. I want to see us working on a replacement for SNMP and the MIB to
    give us a solution that works inside the firewall as well as outside the
    firewall.
        2. We want something more expressive and clearer regarding State, Status
    and Error reasons than the Printer MIB

    B Con Position
        1. Although it may be a worthy objective in itself, definition of a new
    model is not necessary to satisfy the defined use cases.
        2. The WBMM approach must be compatible with the existing equipment base
    in content if not format. The Monitor, in expressing the information to be
    gathered form a particular device or service, must be able to give a proxy
    management interface sufficient information about how to acquire this
    information so that the proxy can extract it via SNMP, HTTP, a serial
    connection or whatever without preknowledge in the proxy of the specific
    form or format that the device or service uses.
        3. Definition of a model to cover printers, copiers, multi-function
    devices, scanners, print/scan services etc is a monumental task

    C. Possible Compromise
    Same as for Issue 1. Regardless, the message format between the monitor and
    the management interface must be flexible enough to be able to define what
    the management agent must do regardless of the management model used in
    either the Monitor or the monitored device/service.

    D.Action Items:
        1. Define the requirements of the new model, and investigate how this
    would apply to various imaging devices/services
        2. If the requirement includes interface with user applications, define
    the additional detailed requirements imposed by that.

    Issue 3.
    For the extra-enterprise mode, there appears to be agreement on the
    Management interfaces operation as HTTP clients on TCP port 80, and the
    Monitor acting as a server.
        1. Should alternate ports be allowed, suggested?
        2. Should the capability be made compatible with alternate transports?
        3. If WBMM includes intra-enterprise capability, is this also the
    optimum configuration in that mode as well?

    Extensive positions on these items have not been voiced.

    Issue 4 To what extent as alignment with the approach of other related
    activities necessary?

    A. Discussion:

    There appears agreement that the WG should keep abreast of related
    activities in the IETF and DMTF. There is also the suggestion that some
    cross-participation and communication to the other groups may be desirable.
    But the basic contention is that the WG has no inherent obligation to be
    compatible with any other activities. Nevertheless, some degree of
    compatibility is desirable in the extra-enterprise mode since the use of
    these alternate local methods may be necessary for collecting the necessary
    data. In the intra-enterprise mode, it appears that the activity may
    actually be in competition with other management protocols being developed,
    and it would be desirable to allow implementers to leverage their work on
    one protocol to support the others.

    Please communicate if you have additional agenda items or would like to add
    basic issues for discussion.

    This list has about 30 subscribers. We hope to have good participation on
    Tuesday's call.

    Bill Wagner/NetSilicon, a Digi International Company



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