Network switch having network management agent functions distributed among multiple trunk and service modules

A network node that operates according to a simple network management protocol (SNMP) comprising:

• a data path;
• and
• a plurality of modules coupled to the data path, wherein each module is provided with an individual network management agent operative to process SNMP messages.

A communication switching apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of access modules each adapted to couple said switching apparatus to one or more associated communication links, each of said access modules including an associated network management agent adapted to receive management messages and to configure said associated access modules according to control information contained within said management messages;
• and
• a message forwarding circuit coupled to each of said access modules via a data path and adapted to couple said switching apparatus to a network controller, said message forwarding circuit configured to receive said management messages from said network controller and to forward said management messages to said access modules over said data path according to local addresses contained within said management messages, each of said local addresses corresponding to an associated one of said access modules.

A communication network, comprising:

• a network manager;
• and
• a plurality of communication switches coupled together by a plurality of communication links, at least one of said communication switches coupled to said network manager and including one or more access modules each adapted to couple said one switch to one or more of said communication links and a message forwarding circuit coupled to each of said access modules via a data path and adapted to receive management messages from said network manager and to forward said management messages to said access modules over said data path according to local address information contained within each management message, said access modules each including an associated network management agent adapted to receive said management messages and to configure said associated access modules according to control information contained within said management messages.

A method of managing a communication switching apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a management message from a network manager to said communication switching apparatus, said management message including local address information and control information;
• receiving said management message at a message forwarding circuit of said communication switching apparatus and transferring said management message to one of a plurality of access modules of said communication switching apparatus across a data path according to said local address information;
• receiving said management message at a network management agent of said one access module and configuring said access module according to said control information.