Element management system for a digital subscriber line access multiplexer

摘要

An access multiplexer (10) for a digital subscriber line (DSL) communications network, having element management system (EMS) capability, is disclosed. A host computer (17) is coupled to the DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) (10) over a serial interface (27, 28). A controller (25) of the DSLAM includes an EMS agent for receiving command control and information request messages from the host computer (17) over the serial interface (27, 28). The EMS agent issues signals to a software process, such as the DSL channel manager in response to such messages, and generates replies to the host computer (17) over the serial interface (27, 28) upon execution of the requested operation. The controller (25) also operates in response to command control and information request messages initiated at user computers (U) that reside on a network (14). A Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent executed by the controller (25) receives SNMP messages over the network (14), and initiates the execution of a method routine to obtain the requested information or effect the corresponding control. As a result, both a local host computer (17) and also users on a network (14) may monitor, manage, and control the operation of the DSLAM (10).