NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING MANAGEMENT ADDRESSES

Systems and methods to manage network elements coupled to a private network are disclosed. The system may assign a management IP address to each network element, independent from the private IP address of the network element. The management IP address may be used to facilitate the exchange of network management communications between network elements and a central management system. Management IP addresses may not be physically assigned to network elements coupled to a private network yet still allow network elements to be uniquely referenced and exchange management communications with a central management system.