CURRENT_MEETING_REPORT_


Reported by David Perkins/SynOptics

Minutes of the SNMPMIB Compiler BOF (MIBCOMP)

Time:  Monday from 1:30 to 3:30

This BOF was a presentation by Dave Perkins of a unique architecture for
a SNMP MIB Compiler.  The important aspects of this project are that:


  1. The compiler is split into a separate front-end and a replaceable
     back-end;

  2. The front-end does extensive syntax and semantic checks much better
     than MOSY and includes support for traps, multiple modules,
     imports, and textual conventions;

  3. The back-ends are easy to write and can be used for specific
     applications; and

  4. The intent is to make the source code ``public domain'' so that it
     can be used by any interested party.

Example users of the system include the following:


  1. SNMP agent developers - a back-end can be written to generate MIB
     data structures and dispatch tables specific to an agent
     implementation.

  2. MIB developers - the front-end provides extensive error checking.
     A back-end can be written to print ``reports''.

  3. Management station developers - a back-end can be written which
     merges additional fields with those from MIB objects so that
     database records can be generated for a generic MIB query system.

  4. SNMP tool developers - a back-end can be written which formats the
     MIB information so that it can be used by existing tools that
     require MIB object information in a format other than the concise
     MIB format.


Dave presented an overview of the MIB compiler architecture and gave a
status report of his current implementation experience.  Key points
included the following:  the front-end is currently implemented under
MS-DOS and was used on a laptop at IETF to do instant MIB checking; much
testing has been done including all the MIBs in RFCs and many of the
MIBs in Internet Drafts; and an example back-end was written which
demonstrated selection of MIB groups for reporting.

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A long list of action items was presented to do by the next IETF
meeting.  The key ones included:  porting to UNIX; work out the details
so the code could be made ``freely available''; and setting up directory
where sources and documentation could be reached via FTP access.

Dave Perkins SynOptics Communications, Inc.  Santa Clara, CA 95052-8185
TEL 408 764-1516 FAX 408 988-5525 dperkins@synoptics.com

Attendees

Miriam Amos Nihart       miriam@decwet.zso.dec.com
James Barnes             barnes@xylogics.com
Steve Bostock            steveb@novell.com
David Bridgham           dab@asylum.sf.ca.us
Theodore Brunner         tob@thumper.bellcore.com
Jeffrey Buffum           buffum@vos.stratus.com
Dave Cullerot            cullerot@ctron.com
Michael Erlinger         mike@lexcel.com
Shawn Gallagher          gallagher@quiver.enet.dec.com
Ronald Jacoby            rj@sgi.com
Manu Kaycee              kaycee@ctron.com
Yoav Kluger              ykluger@fibhaifa.com
Ron Lau                  rlau@synoptics.com
Ron Mackey               rem@dsiinc.com
David Perkins            dperkins@synoptics.com
Jonathan Saperia         saperia@tcpjon.enet.dec.com
Timon Sloane             peernet!timon@uunet.uu.net
Bob Stewart              rlstewart@eng.xyplex.com
Mark Therieau            markt@python.eng.microcom.com
June-Kang Yang           natadm!yang@uunet.uu.net
Wengyik Yeong            yeongw@psi.com
John Ziegler             ziegler@artel.com



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