Using modular code processes for network device management with automated boot-time device registration

Modular code processes, or agents, are a technology whose features promise to have a significant impact on the distributed management of communications networks. Through the interaction of agents with one another and their device based environments, active network architectures arise. This paper proposes a modular architecture that exploits these features to create a network element management system that supports both agents and conventional messaging. The individual components of the system are described, including automatic device registration and secure device access.