An optimal scope-pattern decision method for OSI management operations

Presently, integrated network management systems are being developed based on the open systems interconnection (OSI) management standards to manage information networks under the multivendor environment in an integrated manner. In this paper, an optimal scope-patterns decision method for efficient OSI management operation is proposed. The scope patterns are common management information service (CMIS) operational range specifications based on the containment relationship between managed objects. The motivation for this study is to improve human interfaces for network management systems by providing a translating function for operator-specified operational ranges based on various kinds of relationships into CMIS scope patterns. The proposed method provides the ability to translate automatically operator-specified operational ranges based on any kind of relationship into possible CMIS scope-pattern candidates and the ability to define optimal scope patterns for minimizing invoked operations by solving an integer programming problem using a fast computing approximate algorithm. Thus, network management operators can achieve user-friendly human-machine interaction and efficient management operation.