A connection management interface for a fabric control application

A prototype connection management interface for a fabric control application (FCA) is described. The FCA is an object-oriented software module that controls switching hardware and provides an abstraction of a managed object, a path, to higher-layer software. Through a simple command set, the FCA provides the switching necessary for connectivity between and among user ports and trunks. As such, the FCA is a server of switching resources to higher-layer network software. The FCA interface is suitable for control of many different switch types and can be used by switch vendors to provide a fully functional and common interface that encapsulates proprietary information. The architecture of the FCA interface is compatible with the principles of OSI´s Common Management Information Protocol and the principles of the Information Networking Architecture (INA) for a standard interface between service and delivery segment elements of a modular network