Hierarchically distributed network management system using open system interconnection (OSI) protocols

摘要

A management system comprises a central management station and a plurality of remote management stations coupled to nodes of a communications network which interconnects the nodes using OSI protocols. The central management station comprises a first memory for storing attributes of managed objects which are supervised by the central management station. A central station controller is responsive to a request and accesses its memory if the request is concerned with the attributes stored therein or transmits a request to one of the remote stations If the request is not concerned with the stored attributes. Each remote management station comprises a memory for storing attributes of managed objects supervised by the remote management station. A remote station controller responds to the request from the central station by making access to the remote station memory if the request is concerned with the stored attributes or by transmitting a request to an associated network node If the request Is not concerned with the stored attributes.