Unified Data Model

- Single integration point for device, web application and CLI

The Web Management Framework ManageBlox Unified Data Model architecture provides a single integration point for devices, web pages, and simulation. You define the application with the data model, containing application semantics, validation rules, and data (type) and value range that are specific to your device and application. The ManageBlox framework, using the data model, performs get and set data at runtime automatically.

Introduction to Unified Data Model

UDM model: UDM modeling defines data nodes along with their data types, association, permissions, access control, validation rules, and interface. A rich set of data types, such as enumerated type and MAC addresses, are supported. ManageBlox utilizes the model information to provide application-specific semantics.

Permission and access control: Support linear and parallel user privileges and provide access control on the data model.

Data adapter: Standardized southbound interface enables plug-in device integration. For instance, an SNMP adapter offers predefined device integration with the SNMP agent.

Web integration: UDM integration and web form processing automatically link the data model with web requests as well as a dynamic web page's variables and scripting.

Why Unified Data Model?

One can develop the web application by handling HTTP requests with C functions, and have the logic implemented in the C functions. So why use UDM over the custom code that embeds logic in C functions? The advantages are in the development speed and code reliability.

UDM runtime includes data validation, access and permission control, data type conversion, error handling, and well-defined interface to the device. Without using data models and UDM runtime, the application would need to write code to support this functionality.

All the applications share the same UDM runtime code. This shared code has already been "battle-tested" and has robustness and reliability that new code cannot offer.

With ManageBlox tools, defining a data model is a simple and straightforward step. Once the data model is defined and linked into the program, the UDM functionality becomes available to the application. It conserves time and effort in coding to validate data, convert types, check permissions, and report errors.