The Java-based G2-SNMP Bridge

Abstract

• Gensym is a leading provider of adaptive software products that model, simulate and monitor business processes. Gensym’s products help companies prepare and adapt their IT infrastructure, business-to-business value chain, and manufacturing operations for success in the new world of e-business.
• Gensym’s Operations Expert™ (OpEx) is a graphical software product for intelligent fault management of advanced distributed networks, such as satellite, wireless, Internet, and cable. Operations Expert is also well suited for managing the application availability of strategic networked services — where the network is the business.
• Java-based SNMP Bridge product was required for OpEx family to provide access to SNMP compatible network devices of any type.

Purpose of the Project

• To create a new version of the external part of the existing Generic G2-SNMP bridge, based on Gensym JavaLink and using an existing SNMP stack in a Java class library (AdventNet)
• To provide a middleware tool, enabling communications between SNMP agents that reside on particular hosts or network devices and a G2-based application.

Objectives

• OpEx applications to gain transparent access to SNPM compatible network devices;
• General OpEx users to observe state, and control the network equipment, monitor faults, perform administrative tasks;
• Analytical departments to obtain integral, consistent, up-to-date data about the controlled network, analyze topology;
• Network administrators to diminish network load, perform automated fault detection and repair/maintenance tasks

Customer Requirements

Software platform:
Gensym JavaLink 1.0, AdventNet SNMP v2c Package 1.3.1
Hardware platform: any RISC CPU supported by JavaLink 1.0 Intel PCs/Windows NT 

System Architecture

The Bridge`s Interaction with other systems

Solution

• Integration with AdventNet SNMP library — in a module developed by Argussoft Co. 
• Ability to integrate with other Java-based solutions
• Advanced SNMP v2c capabilities to provide interaction with modern devices
• Filtration of network messages (traps). Automated buffering
• Full compatibility with applications based on Gensym?s Operations Expert

Key Benefits

Offering multi-platform portable network access bridge, simulation of various network parameters, fault localization and automated trap processing features, this application is an unique solution that helps to build a high-level network management and maintenance systems. The inclusion of this bridge in one of the recent releases of OpEx product proves effectiveness of techniques and methodologies used.

SNMP v2c support, abilities to communicate with existing systems and applications via SNMP, and an application-friendly API make the bridge an indispensable tool for any network management system built with OpEx.

Argussoft’s skillful personnel managed to deploy this application very quickly. The architecture and models of the system allow the Customer to use the bridge as is, and upgrade it when necessary.