A distributed debugging framework for integrated network management scripting applications

In this dissertation we tackle the problem of minimizing new management problems that come with the addition of distributed scripting capabilities in network management. Our primary effort is to design a debugger framework for network management scripting applications to provide better scripting application development support. Our secondary effort is to explore various ways to integrate the network management, scripting, and debugging frameworks to maximally avoid new problems.; One of two major contributions of the dissertation is the development of an integrated debugging framework. The framework consists of a suite of debugging techniques designed specifically for scripting applications, and adapted from the techniques developed for general distributed applications. One issue we focus on is replay synchronization, for which we have developed an algorithm that meets many special requirements of scripting application debugging. The framework also includes a general architecture and defines a set of generic debugging services and interfaces. A practical contribution is the development of SDB, a debugger for scripting applications developed on the SHAMAN framework.; The other major contribution is the design and implementation of SEL, a novel event pattern specification language for scripting application debugging and network management. SEL is novel in its negation operator usage, the way followed-by semantics is provided, and how composite event time is determined in the presence of the negation operator. SEL is comprehensive yet relatively simple and intuitive to use. Expressions written in SEL are readable and easy to maintain, properties especially valuable for use as a debugging tool. A performance study of our detection algorithm is also presented; such performance analysis is rarely seen for similar algorithms.; The secondary contribution of the dissertation is its exploration of various ways to integrate the functions of the management, scripting, and debugging frameworks. An integrated framework enables realization of the full power of the script delegation paradigm, provides ease of use to network managers and applications, and promotes the development and deployment of scripting applications with good debugging support and easier management. Integration results in a lean and more efficient framework for management, scripting, and debugging.