[Infrastructures] using IA methodologies to build network element configuration

[David Magda]

On Sun, Apr 03, 2005 at 02:56:01PM +0100, Matt S Trout wrote:
> This is why I'm attempting to build an XML-driven transformation
> engine that can be used to build up a common library of transforms
> for various types of devices. It's called BAST, and is still at a

Matt,

You may want to check out the Netconf WG of the IETF:

    The Netconf Working Group is chartered to produce a protocol
    suitable for network configuration, with the following
    characteristics:

      - Provides retrieval mechanisms which can differentiate between
        configuration data and non-configuration data
      - Is extensible enough that vendors will provide access to all
        configuration data on the device using a single protocol
      - Has a programmatic interface (avoids screen scraping and
        formatting-related changes between releases)
      - Uses a textual data representation, that can be easily
        manipulated using non-specialized text manipulation tools.
      - Supports integration with existing user authentication methods
      - Supports integration with existing configuration database
        systems
      - Supports network wide configuration transactions (with
        features such as locking and rollback capability)
      - Is as transport-independent as possible
      - Provides support for asynchronous notifications

  http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/netconf-charter.html

The current document describing the protocol (which expires August
19, 2005) can be found at:

http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-netconf-prot-05.txt

There are also drafts for transporting the XML protocol over BEEP,
SOAP, and SSH (through a sub-system like sftp is done now).

-- 
David Magda <dmagda at ee.ryerson.ca>, http://www.magda.ca/
Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under
the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well 
under the new. -- Niccolo Machiavelli, _The Prince_, Chapter VI