Distributed Integrated Data Interface & Management System

The objective of the proposed project is to design a reference architecture for seamless integration of heterogeneous platforms and networks. The goal of the resulting system is to: 1. provide a framework and method for integrating, managing, and controlling information resources in a secure and scaleable manner 2. provide access to manage information and network entities 3. support system and network administration functions Numerous frameworks are available for SNMP- and MIB-based network management, however, these are usually not scaleable and secure. We will study SNMP-V2 and new management technologies like Hypermedia Management Protocol (HMMP) and Hypermedia Object Manager (HMOM). For distributed data integration, ODBC (Open Data Base Connectivity) API is in common use for inter-operability of relational databases. However, there are no widely used standards for integrating non-relational data like graphics, video, and voice. Phase 1 will study commercial and incipient technologies and research directions. A complete specification for the reference architecture will be produced which will encompass a communications protocol, a management and data access API, a set of system administration functions (including performance management, configuration management, software distribution management and process management), a common entity naming service, an event and alarm generation functionality and a visual user interface.