Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a network element comprises a first subsystem operable to receive management transactions in a first management protocol and to map the transactions to a common management protocol. A second subsystem is operable to receive management transactions in a second management protocol and to map the transactions to the common management protocol. A common management information base (MIB) includes a dataset and a common interface to the dataset. The common interface is operable to access the dataset to process transactions received from the first and second subsystems in the common management protocol.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a network element comprises a first subsystem operable to receive management transactions in a first management protocol and to map the transactions to a common management protocol. A second subsystem is operable to receive management transactions in a second management protocol and to map the transactions to the common management protocol. A common management information base (MIB) includes a dataset and a common interface to the dataset. The common interface is operable to access the dataset to process transactions received from the first and second subsystems in the common management protocol.

Abstract: A system for downloading a software image to a SONET network element which eliminates the need for a separate overhead channel for this purpose. The system conveys the software image using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) over the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), over the Internet Protocol (IP), using ATM. The disclosed system enables ATM cells carrying the software image to be received over a SONET ring connected to the device. The disclosed system uses permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) between network elements over which the software image may be transported. In a first embodiment, the PVCs form a star of logical connections with remote network elements to which software image files may be downloaded from a “gateway” network element. The gateway network element is a network element communicative with a central management station, which provides data to be downloaded to the remote network elements.