Cabletron Systems ESXMIM - Manual (Page 14)

Chapter 1: Introduction
Page 1-4 ESXMIM/ESXMIM-F2 Local Management Guide
1.4.1 The Management Agent
The management agent is a process within the ESXMIM which collects
statistical information (e.g., frames received, errors detected) about the
managed network’s operational performance. Local Management
communicates with the management agent for the purpose of viewing
statistics or issuing management commands.
1.4.2 In-Band vs. Out-of-Band
Network management systems are often classified as either in-band or
out-of-band. In-band network management passes data along the same
medium (cables, frequencies) used by all other stations on the network.
An example of an in-band network management system is Cabletron
Systems SPECTRUM.
Out-of-band network management passes data along a medium that is
entirely separate from the network’s common data carrier, for example, a
cable connection between a dumb terminal and the ESXMIM’s COM
port. Cabletron Systems Local Management is an out-of-band network
management system.
A device connected out-of-band to the management agent is not
connected to the LAN. This type of connection allows you to
communicate with a network device even when that device is unable to
communicate through the network, for example, at the time of
installation.
1.4.3 Local vs. Remote Management
Network management applications are usually described as either local or
remote management applications. Local management applications reside
within the management device’s management agent. Remote
management applications run within the circuits of another device that
provides management services. This allows you to perform network
management from a remote location.