Introduction To Bims - 3Com 7757 Configuration Manual

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Introduction to BIMS

Basic Principles and
Functions of BIMS
Update Procedure of
Configuration File or
Application
BIMS C
ONFIGURATION
To manage a network device through SNMP or Telnet, you need to know its IP
address. This is difficult however when the device obtains address through DHCP
or when the device resides behind a NAT device. Branch intelligent management
system (BIMS) was thus developed, delivering automatic configuration file and
application update.
BIMS comprises the BIMS center side and the device side. The following is how it
works to centralize device management:
1 The device sends the BIMS center a request at startup or/and sends requests at
regular or irregular intervals. This depends on how you set your policy.
2 The BIMS center interacts with different devices according to the policy issued by
the administrator. During interaction, the administrator can manage the device,
for example, upgrade software, modify configuration, or view configuration/state
information.
At BIMS center side is service software operating on a PC or server, such as the
BIMS component of 3Com's Quidview (V3.10). At BIMS device side the BIMS
function is integrated in the software system of the router. By accessing the BIMS
center, the router updates its configuration file and application automatically.
BIMS allows the device to access the BIMS center immediately after the
corresponding command is executed, at startup, at regular intervals, or at a
specified time.
The following is how the device uses BIMS to update its configuration file or
application, assuming that the BIMS configuration on the device is complete and
BIMS is enabled:
1 The device sends a request to the BIMS center, asking for checking whether its files
need update.
2 The BIMS center examines the device file information in the request. If update is
needed, the BIMS center sends back a response containing information for
update. This response may contain information such as URL for updating the
configuration file or software or contain the commands and parameters that the
device must execute.
3 The device checks the response. It gets the URL for obtaining device software,
encrypted configuration file, or the commands and parameters to be executed.
4 After the device gets the configuration file, it executes and saves the configuration
file.
5 Using the obtained URL, the device requests the BIMS center for downloading the
device file.