OPTIPRISM: a distributed hierarchical network management system for all-optical networks

OPTIPRISM is an agent-based network management system (NMS) providing configuration and fault management services for all-optical networks. OPTIPRISM has been developed and tested on the Multi-wavelength Optical Network (MONET) switches of the Advanced Technology Demonstration Network (ATDnet). OPTIPRISM features a scalable architecture consisting of a distributed hierarchy of intelligent, mobile manager agents. These managers have uniform interfaces, which makes it is easy to add managers from the hierarchy in order to extend OPTIPRISM as the network grows. Using agent mobility, OPTIPRISM is able to reorganize its physical deployment so as to improve overall responsiveness. Finally, OPTIPRISM includes an innovative browser agent which incorporates a scalable solution to the problem of end-user interaction with a large distributed NMS.