NSM architecture

The NSM REST API offers a comprehensive REST API to enable easy integration with client user systems to the Netcool Configuration Manager system.

Specifically, the NSM REST API offers access to the following objects:

  • Devices
  • Realms
  • Service templates
  • Services

NSM allows the NSM client user to access the Netcool Configuration Manager device inventory through the NSM REST API by using the NSM device URIs. This allows client users to access device information gathered from the Netcool Configuration Manager device discovery features such as the device Vendor, Type, Model, and OS (VTMOS). NSM can also retrieve the device's current configuration as stored on the Netcool Configuration Manager system.

The NSM client user can also use the NSM realm URIs to search Netcool Configuration Manager realms. Searching realms through the NSM REST API enables client users to view the Netcool Configuration Manager artifacts within realms.

Netcool Configuration Manager realms are used to structure the command sets, devices, and other Netcool Configuration Manager artifacts on the Netcool Configuration Manager system.

NSM has a framework that NSM service designers use to define NSM service templates that can be used to create network services. Network services can be any network service from simple Firewall Zones established for a client user on a single device, to a VLAN being created across a network. To create a network service, the configuration of the network devices need to be changed. Netcool Configuration Manager command sets are used to apply this configuration in a controlled manner on the network devices.

NSM service templates allow for the easy and consistent execution of Netcool Configuration Manager command sets.

NSM service templates allow the execution of Netcool Configuration Manager device synchronizations and extractions. NSM service templates also allow client users to:

  • Simplify the creation, modification, and deletion of network services on network devices
  • Hide the complexity of the network service away from the client user
  • Support multiple device types with the one NSM service template
  • Create a robust and reproducible network configuration service solution
Figure 1. NSM Architecture

This figure shows the NSM architecture.