Implementation of the monitor and control system for the Caribbean Regional Operations Center (CARIBROC) communications network

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of an adaptable, standards-based monitor and control system employed in a secure communications network, namely the Caribbean Regional Operations Center (CARIBROC) communications network. The monitor and control system integrates diverse network elements (i.e., equipment being controlled and monitored) from multiple vendors, many using unique and proprietary interfaces. The monitor and control system translates these unique or proprietary network element interfaces into the standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), using proxy agents. Each unique network element has an associated management information base (MTB) that describes the model of the network element, identifying the monitored and controlled parameters and defining appropriate responses to various stimuli. Object oriented, peer-to-peer network management technology is employed in the CARIBROC monitor and control system, supporting migration to the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP). Supporting this migration path to the OSI CMIP eliminates contingencies on proprietary protocols and supports the insertion of new technology into the CARIBROC communications system. The monitor and control system implemented in CARIBROC features a distributed network management architecture. From a single platform, operations personnel can monitor and control network elements and mission functions. Remote Control Units (RCUs) containing the proxy agents are collocated with the network elements at the remote sites and perform all of the necessary processing to support their associated network elements. The CARIBROC monitor and control system is characterized by interface flexibility in a multimedia, multivendor environment. CARIBROC network elements include transmission equipment, radios, switching equipment, and modems. The implementation of the CARIBROC monitor and control system solves several problems, in addition to providing a powerful network management capability. Manpower requirements are minimized since the monitor and control system eliminates the need for many of the outdated labor intensive tasks. Also, the open, standards-based architecture supports the insertion of new technology, enabling upgrades as technology and budget permit. >