[Nml-wg] Fwd: Network Markup Language Working Group (NML-WG)

[John Vollbrecht]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: John Vollbrecht <jrv at internet2.edu>
> Date: October 15, 2007 8:58:41 AM GMT-04:00
> To: Martin Swany <swany at cis.udel.edu>
> Cc: John Vollbrecht <jrv at internet2.edu>, ghpn-wg at ogf.org
> Subject: Re: Network Markup Language Working Group (NML-WG)
>
> Martin and Paola -
>
> Thanks for the reminder of this, and I hope you make good progress  
> on creating NML.
>
> I am not expert at data base representation methods, but it does  
> seem that it would be good to have a common understanding of what  
> is to be described.  I know that at least two methods of  
> representation - NDL and the NMWG schema - are close.  Coming to  
> agreement on a common method would be wonderful in terms of getting  
> applications developed in different "spheres of influence" to be  
> able to work together.   I believe an (at least informal) minimal  
> goal of this group is to define a "data model" such that both NDL  
> and NMWG methods  (if they continue independently) will be able to  
> do a mechanical translation between each other.
>
> This ability to do mechanical translation implies that both have a  
> common data model that is represented in different form.   I  
> suggest that this data model be the first item of work for the  
> group, rather than trying to decide which representation method the  
> group will choose - since at a minimum both should be possible.
>
> If a common data model is chosen, then perhaps discussion of the  
> best way to represent it for different (or all) applications can  
> follow.
>
> Of course, there is the question of how a common data model is  
> represented in the first place.  I am not sure what this should be,  
> but I suggest that a UML representation or a Entity Relationship  
> model - something graphical - might be useful.
>
> I hope this is helpful.  Best luck to all in working this out -
>
> John
>
> On Oct 14, 2007, at 7:56 PM, Martin Swany wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Sorry for the wide distribution.  We wanted to make you aware
>> (remind you in some cases) of the new working group called
>> the Network Markup Language WG (NML-WG.)  From the charter:
>>
>> "The purpose of the Network Mark-up Language Working Group is to  
>> combine efforts of multiple projects to describe network  
>> topologies, so that the outcome is a standardised network  
>> description ontology and schema, facilitating interoperability  
>> between different projects."
>>
>> The relationship of this group to the NM-WG is obvious as
>> network measurement are a key user of representations of
>> network topology.  For the GHPN, those interested in dynamic
>> Grid networks should be interested in the NML-WG as it
>> represents a basis for topology exchange and pathfinding.
>>
>> Essentially, many groups have a need to represent network
>> elements, and we believe that a single representation is ideal.
>> That's a little misleading in that various levels of resolution
>> make sense at different times, but some of us have the sense
>> that a single representation framework can accomplish that.
>>
>> For more details, to participate, or to throw fruit and tell us
>> the problem is solved/unsolvable/irrelevant or just plain
>> out of our feeble depth, please join us in Seattle at OGF21.
>>
>> best regards,
>> Martin and Paola
>>
>

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