Distribution Models for Network Management Functions

To ensure scalability, efficiency and flexibility of network and systems man- agement platforms of today’s growing networks, distributed management sys- tems are strongly required. A quite commonly proposed simple taxonomy sug- gests a distinction between centralized, weakly distributed, strongly distributed and cooperative management distribution models. However, it is not yet clearly stated which distribution models are best suited for certain categories of manage- ment problems. This article presents a number of criteria of given management problems. Multiple combinations of these criteria lead to some reasonable characteristics of management systems that are suitable to solve the management problem. In turn, typical combinations of these characteristics make up the four aforementioned management distribution models.