Intelligent Agents for Network Fault Diagnosis and Testing

Abstract

In modern complex networks remote control testing and diagnosis is necessary for efficiency. In this paper we propose the use of Intelligent Agents to carry out these tasks. These autonomous intelligent or programmable agents allow for full flexibility in unplanned conditions. They may be instructed to perform tasks at the resource thus reducing network loads in times of trouble and reducing the burden on the managing system.The framework of existing network management standards is sufficient to implement such intelligent agents using only MIB descriptions based on existing standards. Tests may consist of one or several managed Intelligent testing agents and should be managed according to the situation. In this paper we look at distribution of testing scripts and control of the agents as well as the storing and returning of test results, in particular from distributed tests. We also present several practical implemented uses of the technology.KeywordsIntelligent AgentsTest ObjectsSNMPTest Manager