Using RMON Matrix Group Extensions to Analyze Internetworking Problems



Gerald A. Winters
Merit Network, Inc.
4251 Plymouth Road, Suite C
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2785
Email: gerald_AT_merit.edu

Daniel A. Muntz
Hewlett-Packard
System Networking Solutions Lab
19420 Homestead Road Mailstop 43LK
Cupertino, CA 95014
Email: dmuntz_AT_cup.hp.com

Toby J. Teorey
CSE Division, EECS
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Email: teorey_AT_eecs.umich.edu



Abstract
The Remote network-MONitoring (RMON) standard is a valuable addition to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), providing network managers with important global network information. Unlike SNMP agents, RMON agents operate in promiscuous mode and process all packets traversing the local net. The RMON management information base (MIB) supplements the SNMP MIB-II standard MIB. We present common network problems that cannot be solved using existing MIB-II or RMON objects. To solve these problems, we develop extensions to the RMON matrix group to gather network layer statistics that result in a view of packet traffic beyond the local network. Our extensions increase the ability to analyze and solve network configuration problems and perform troubleshooting. We demonstrate our results by implementing and analyzing two "live" internetworking problems. Data collected from these experiments showed that network traffic patterns can be isolated by individual subnets, thus more easily identifying sources of congestion.

Keywords: Network management; RMON; SNMP; MIB; internetwork.

JNSM: Vol. 6, No. 2, 1998 Using RMON Matrix Group Extensions to Analyze Internetworking Problems [Vol. 6, No. 2, 1998]



NOTE: only abstract of paper available on-line

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