32.1 Get Started with Managing Networks

Enterprise Manager discovers and manages targets that populate Layers 1, 2, and 3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, shown in Figure 32-1. In the OSI model, a layer supports the layer above it and is provisioned by the layer below it. Any faults in a layer affect the layer above it.

Figure 32-1 OSI Model

Description of Figure 32-1 follows
Description of "Figure 32-1 OSI Model"

  • Layer 1: Fabric targets are in the physical layer of the OSI model, such as network switches.

  • Layer 2: Datalink targets are in the link layer of the model. For Ethernet fabrics, datalinks are VLAN IDs. For InfiniBand fabrics, datalinks are partition keys. This layer also includes combinations of links, such as link aggregations.

  • Layer 3: Network targets are in the network layer of the model, which are network interfaces plumbed as IP addresses and IPMP groups.

Network management includes all the activities for making network resources available to targets:

  • Discover fabrics and their datalinks and networks.

  • Collect metrics for layer-related configuration and performance.

  • Detect faults at each level.

  • View the topology, a graphic view of the relationships in the fabrics and networks.