Specifying goal-oriented network management systems

Work aimed at describing the most adequate framework for the design of real-time network management systems and the associated interfaces for open systems is discussed. This framework has been developed by integrating three mathematical techniques: automatic control theory for discrete-event systems, which provides the architectural framework and is the unifying theme that holds together the various parts of the system; predicate-transition Petri net theory, which provides the representation framework; and logic programming (Prolog), which provides the description framework. The ways in which management/user and interface requirements are constructed using this system design framework, which is being developed in the context of real applications, are described.<>