The Opstat Client-Server Model for Statistics Retrieval

Status of this Memo This memo provides information for the Internet community. This memo does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Abstract Network administrators gather data related to the performance, utilization, usability and growth of their data network. The amount of raw data gathered is usually quite large, typically ranging somewhere between several megabytes to several gigabytes of data each month. Few (if any) tools exist today for the sharing of that raw data among network operators or between a network service provider (NSP) and its customers. This document defines a model and protocol for a set of tools which could be used by NSPs and Network Operation Centers (NOCs) to share data among themselves and with customers. 1.0 Introduction Network administrators gather data related to the performance, utilization, usability and growth of their data network. The primary goal of gathering the data is to facilitate near-term problem isolation and longer-term network planning within the organization. The amount of raw data gathered is usually quite large, typically ranging somewhere between several megabytes to several gigabytes of data each month. From this raw data, the network administrator produces various types of reports. Few (if any) tools exist today for the sharing of that raw data among network operators or between a network service provider (NSP) and its customers. This document defines a model and protocol for a set of tools which could be used by NSPs and Network Operation Centers (NOCs) to share data among themselves and with customers. 1.1 The OPSTAT Model Under the Operational Statistics model [1], there exists a common model under which tools exist for the collection, storage, retrieval and presentation of network management data. Clark Informational [Page 1]