A connection management interface for a fabric control application

A prototype connection management interface for a fabric control application (FCA) is described. The FCA is an object-oriented software module that controls switching hardware and provides an abstraction of a managed object, a path, to higher-layer software. Through a simple command set, the FCA provides the switching necessary for connectivity between and among user ports and trunks. As such, the FCA is a server of switching resources to higher-layer network software. The FCA interface is suitable for control of many different switch types and can be used by switch vendors to provide a fully functional and common interface that encapsulates proprietary information. The architecture of the FCA interface is compatible with the principles of OSI's Common Management Information Protocol and the principles of the Information Networking Architecture (INA) for a standard interface between service and delivery segment elements of a modular network.<
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