CURRENT_MEETING_REPORT_ Reported by Mark S. Lewis/Telebit Minutes of the Modem Management BOF (MODEMMGT) There were approximately 25 attendees made up of modem manufacturers, SNMP developers, and modem users/service providers. The BOF was begun with a discussion of the need to manage modems by users and service providers. The Group explored the need to monitor and control modems, as well as account for their usage. It was clear that the ability to change the configuration of modems was important. It was suggested that other devices like fax, DSU/CSUs, and perhaps terminal adapters should be treated similarly. Most agreed that the Group should be as inclusive as possible in writing a `modem' MIB. +-----------+-----------+ | Character | PPP | |-----------+-----------| | RS-232-Like | |-----------------------| | Modem | +-----------------------+ MIB Hierarchy Relevant MIBs including the RS-232-Like, Character, PPP, and DS1/E1 (RFC1406) were briefly discussed. Enterprise MIB extensions were considered including those from Telebit and US Robotics. A short presentation was made by Les Brown (TIA TR-30.4) on a Draft Recommendation V.im; Management Information Model for V-Series DCE's. It was noted that some vendors had looked at this Draft and had implemented a subset of it. This may be the essential portion of what seems to be a very comprehensive definition in the Draft. Some raised issues about which problems the Group was trying to solve. Others suggested that a clear statement about the problems would provide helpful direction. Some questioned the model being considered: whether it was geared for a stand-alone device or a rack installation. It was agreed that a rack model should be used which supports multiple devices through tables in a MIB rather than single objects. There was a question about whether or not it was important to produce a general modem MIB. It was suggested that some want extensive enterprise MIB support from their particular vendor. Some of the SNMP management station developers said they would not be willing to add support for each vendors enterprise MIB extensions, but would be willing to add support for a general modem MIB. It was agreed a general modem MIB was necessary. There was discussion about how many objects might be included in a modem MIB. The V.im Draft seemed to define 200-250 objects. Some thought it would be good to limit the modem MIB to around 100 objects. As a comparison, the DS1/E1 MIB (RFC1406) defines approximately that many objects. Given the base of relevant work, the BOF Chair proposed that an IETF working group be formed to work in conjunction with TR-30.4 to produce a joint standard modem MIB. A proposed Charter was presented and discussed. There was discussion about the different cultures of the two Groups. There was some skepticism that the two Groups could produce a joint document. The Chair proposed that discussions should be carried-out through e-mail and periodic face-to-face meetings. A proposed schedule was discussed which set certain goals. Basically, the joint document would be completed in 1993. This means that the joint Group would produce at least two drafts, which would be reviewed face-to-face at least twice. Presumably, there would be extensive e-mail discussion in the interim. Most considered this an aggressive schedule but thought it was a good objective. The BOF concluded with agreement that an IETF working group should be organized to pursue these goals. The Chair agreed to update the proposed Charter and submit it to the acting Management Area Director. He also agreed to setup the required mailing list, and ftp repository of relevant MIBs and documents. Attendees Jim Barnes barnes@xylogics.com David Battle battle@cs.utk.edu Larry Blunk ljb@merit.edu Thomas Brisco brisco@pilot.njin.net Douglas Carson carson@utcc.utoronto.ca Jeff Case case@cs.utk.edu Naomi Courter naomi@concert.net Mark Davis-Craig mad@merit.edu Robert Gutierrez gutierre@nsipo.nasa.gov Patrick Hanel hanel@yoyodyne.trs.ntc.nokia.com Ittai Hershman ittai@ans.net Mark Kepke mak@fc.hp.com Mark Lewis Mark.S.Lewis@telebit.com Ray Mlejnek r.mlejnek@pdn.paradyne.com Chris Payson !sharps!bar!c_payson@telebit.com Rick Royston rick@lsumvs.sncc.lsu.edu Jon Saperia saperia@lkg.dec.com Timon Sloane timon@timon.com Bob Stewart rlstewart@eng.xyplex.com Richard Stuart dickstuart@attmail.com Steven Waldbusser waldbusser@andrew.cmu.edu