A NETWORK SWITCH HAVING NETWORK MANAGEMENT AGENT FUNCTIONS DISTRIBUTED AMONG MULTIPLE TRUNK AND SERVICE MODULES

摘要

A network that implements a network management protocol. The network comprises a network manager coupled to a plurality of network nodes. Each network node has a network address to which the network manager addresses network management messages for controlling the configuration of the network nodes. The plurality of network nodes include a first network node. The first network node includes a plurality of management agents and a message forwarding circuit coupled to the management agents, wherein the network manager transmits a management message to the network address of the first network node and the message forwarding circuit forwards the management message to a first management agent specified by the management message.