Some tools offer integration at the SNMP level, where applications update an MIB extension with status and trap information. This information flows through the SNMP hierarchy to the manager, where events are consolidated from multiple sources. This is a strictly SNMP standard approach, not based on any proprietary software or hardware components. The highest level of integration is the object level , where network management applications communicate with other applications by passing messages. Most vendors are planning to provide this level of integration, but only a few offer real products in this area today.
Most network managers follow the simple rule of better safe than sorry.
To address this phenomenon not only reliable products but sound procedures and processes for network management are required. Future inistallments of this column will expand this discussion and try to provide specific recommendations on issues and possible solutions.