A Java-based SNMP agent for dynamic MIBs

SNMP agents, which are used to manage elements of IP networks, do not adequately support upgrades to management data stored in management information bases (MIBs). Upgrades are necessary both when new capabilities may be needed and when changes to a managed element, such as an OS upgrade, require a change to the agent. A new agent design, eXtensible Network and Application Management Instrumentation (XNAMI), makes it easy to change MIBs at run time. New variables can be added or deleted from a MIB and new instrumentation can be added for an existing variable. XNAMI complies with both Web standards (including XML) and SNMP.