You use a Network specification to define a network as a whole. There are many different types of networks that you can model with Network specifications:
ATM network
Ethernet VLAN
Frame Relay network
You can add characteristics to capture information that is specific to the type of network described by the specification.
In UIM, you create an instance of a network from a network specification, then you build a topological view of the network, its nodes, and its edges. You build the network by adding nodes and edges and then associating resources to them.
You create Network specifications in the same manner as you create other types of specifications. See "Creating New Specifications" for more information.
See "Network Specification Editor" for reference information about the tabs you use to define a Network specification.
When you create a Network specification, you must select a network type and a technology. The network type is not displayed in Network entities in UIM, but is used to configure the network.
There are three types of network, defined by selecting a value for the Entity Type data element:
Use the Network type for physical and logical transport networks, such as SDH, Frame Relay, MetroE, or MPLS.
Use the Service Network type for networks that provide a unified view of a service that delivers packet connectivity. Service networks include service locations, network access connectivity, and supporting virtual networks. Network specifications of this type require that you associate a Network Configuration specification.
Use the Packet Virtual Network (PVN) type for virtual networks, such as Ethernet Virtual Circuits (EVCs), that support packet-based services. A PVN can include flow interfaces, packet network connectivity, and cross connects. Network specifications of this type require a Network Configuration specification.
The network type and the network technology (defined by selecting a value for the Technology data element) are interdependent:
The Undefined technology is available for Network and Service Network types.
Packet technologies, such as ATM, Frame Relay, MPLS and Ethernet, are available for Packet Virtual Network and Service Network types.
All other technologies are available for the Network type.
To define the network type and technology:
Open a Network Specification entity in the Network Specification editor.
See "Creating New Specifications" for information about creating new Network specifications.
Click the Network Properties tab.
In the Entity Type field, select a network type.
In the Technology field, click Select.
The Select Technology dialog box appears. Only the technologies applicable to the Entity Type value are included.
Select a technology and click OK.
The Technology field is updated.
From the File menu, select Save.
Use the Network Specification editor to model Network specifications.
When working with the Network Specification editor, see the following topics:
Use the Network Properties tab to enter network properties.
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
| Technology | Select the technology for this Network specification. The Technology and Entity Type data elements are dependent on each other.
The technology is set to Undefined by default. |
| Entity Type | Select the entity type for this Network specification. The Technology and Entity Type data elements are dependent on each other.
The entity type is set to Network by default. |
Use the Network Configurations tab to select, add, and remove a network configuration.
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
| Network Configuration | Displays the name of the Network Configuration specification. |
| Cartridge | Displays the name of the cartridge project into which the Network Configuration specification is built. |
| Select | Click to select an existing Network Configuration. |
| Open | Click to open the selected configuration in the Network Configuration Specification editor. |
| Remove | Click to remove a Network Configuration. |
| Add | Click to add a new Network Configuration. See "Adding Existing Configurations to a Network Specification" for more information. |
Use the Related Specifications tab to define and review specification relationships. Only relationships with the entity types listed in this tab are meaningful by default in UIM. If you add specifications to the Others section, you must define custom rulesets that trigger actions or behavior based on those relationships.
| Section | Use |
|---|---|
| Network Edges | Lists specifications of network edges that can be included in networks based on this specification. |
| Network Nodes | Lists specifications of network nodes that can be included in networks based on this specification. |
| Roles | Lists roles to which entities based on this Network specification can be assigned. |
| Others | Lists specifications of entities that have a customized relationship with entities based on this specification. |