Integrated network management at the DCA-Pacific ACOC

In the late 1980s, the US Defense Communications Agency (DCA) began exploring the concept of remote, centralized monitoring of the Defense Communications System. To demonstrate the validity of the concept, the DCA began evaluating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network management products. To this end, a COTS Integrated Network Management System was demonstrated and evaluated at the Pacific Area Communications Operations Center (ACOC). In the demonstration, the AT&T ACCUMASTER integrator provided integrated network management of four Pacific theater element management systems (EMS), representing Defense Switched Network, fiber-optic, MILNET, and digital microwave assets. Network elements managed by the EMSs, along with their corresponding connectivity and near-real-time status, were displayed by collecting alarm data from each EMS. The authors describe the demonstration, which lasted from November 1990 to June 1991. They describe the network management architecture, identify network management issues, and make recommendations for resolution of those issues.<>