SIMPLE NETWORK
MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
(SNMP)
MANYAHI, B.
Simple Network Management Protocol
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a
protocol used for network management, i.e. to monitor
and configure devices on IP networks.
• Technically speaking:
– SNMP is an application–layer protocol defined by the
Internet Architecture Board of the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF).
– SNMP is a term used to refer to all parts required for
exchanging management information
between network devices. These parts include an
application layer protocol, a database schema, and a set of
data objects.
– SNMP is part of the Transmission Control Protocol
⁄ Internet Protocol (TCP⁄IP) protocol suite.
SNMP Usage
• With SNMP, one can monitor and configure networks and devices.
• SNMP is used on Internet Protocol (IP) networks, to monitor devices
such as servers, printers, hubs, switches, routers etc.
• SNMP is used also in non-IP telecom networks, such as PDH, SDH, etc.
again to monitor and configure devices such as Multiplexers, Radio
Relays etc.
• SNMP exposes management data in the form of variables on the
managed systems, which describe the system configuration, status
and performance. These variables can then be queried (and
sometimes set) by managing applications.
• Summarizing, with SNMP you can:
– Monitor network performance,
– Audit network usage,
– Detect network faults,
– Detect inappropriate access,
– Configure remote devices.
SNMP versions
• Since SNMP was introduced back in 1988, new features have been
introduced with new versions being standardized and released.
– SNMP v1 (uses community string, need to be assigned to both)
– SNMP v2 (v2 – community string v2c – improved confidentiality &
Communication, GET BULK and INFORM were added)
– SNMP v3 (Security Improved)
• The most implemented versions of SNMP are v1 and v2c.
The latest version of SNMP, v3, has not been widely adopted due to the
impact on the managed nodes resources, i.e. it consumes more CPU and
Memory. Nevertheless, due to its increased security features, it has seen
some catching up lately with newer devices.
• As of 2004 the IETF has designated the SNMP v3 as the current standard
version of SNMP and considers it as a full Internet standard, which the
highest maturity level for an RFC. IETF considers earlier versions of SNMP
to be obsolete or “Historic”.
• In practice, most devices support SNMP v2c while it is very common to
have devices and management systems supporting multiple SNMP
versions: typically SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, and SNMPv3.
• This flexibility has been made possible by the wide-spread usage of open-
source SNMP libraries which are mature enough to support all these
SNMP versions.
SNMP Terminology
• Network Element: a device in the network that can be managed.
• SNMP Agent: a software running within a Network Element, to
enable management.
• Element Manager: a computer or server used to manage devices
• Network Manager: a computer or server used to manage
devices end-to-end
• SNMP Manager: a software running within a Element Manager or
Network Manager entity, that monitors and configures devices. This
is usually a branded software.
• Management Information Base (MIB) : a collection of information
for managing Network Elements, structured hierarchically, i.e. in
trees.
• Object Identifier (OID) The MIB comprises of variables that store
values related with statistics or control of the Network Element it
resides. These variables are identified by the unique OIDs.
• SNMP Commands: a simple set of commands that enable
communications between SNMP Manager and SNMP Agent.
Commands include: GET, GET NEXT, GET BULK, SET, TRAPS, INFORM
etc.
How SNMP works
• On a typical SNMP usage scenario, one or
more computers, called Network Managers or
sometimes Element Managers, have the task
of monitoring or managing a group of devices,
called Network Elements.
• The Concept
– From a central computer, network administrator
can manage entire network
• Collect data
• Give commands
Simple Architecture Diagram: SNMP
Manager and SNMP Agent
The Network Element
• The Network Element contains the SNMP
Agent. We call Network Element any type of
device capable of communicating over the
network.
• Network Elements include, but are not limited
to, routers, access servers, switches, bridges,
hubs, IP telephones, IP video cameras,
Microwave Links, DSLAMs, computer hosts,
and printers.
Understand MIBs & OIDs
• Two crucial SNMP concepts are OIDs (Object
Identifier) and MIBs (Management Information
Base).
• MIB has two types 1. Scalar-single 2. Tabular –
Multiple.
• SNMP works by querying “Objects”.
• An object is simply something that we can gather
information about on a network device.
– For instance, an object might be something like
Interface Status. Querying Interface Status would
return a variable
– the interface could be Up, or Down. SNMP identifies
objects like with an Object Identifier, or OID.
• OIDs are very structured, and follow a hierarchical tree
pattern – much like a folder structure on your
computer.
• Unlike folders however, all SNMP objects are
numbered. So, the top level after the root is ISO, and
has the number “1”.
• The next level, ORG, has the number “3”, since it is the
3rd object under ISO, and so on.
• OIDs are always written in a numerical form, instead of
a text form.
• Because of the way the tree is structured, most SNMP
values we’re interested in will always start with the
same set of objects – [Link]. And, in the example,
Interface Status would have an OID of
[Link].[Link].1.8.
For example in the screenshot below, the OID
tree is displayed in a folder-style list:
Community Strings
• Community strings are another important SNMP concept.
Community Strings are like passwords.
• They are used to allow authorized users to access the
SNMP agent on a device. Unfortunately, many admins
never change community strings from the defaults “Public”
for read-only, and “Private” for read-write.
• Community Strings can be configured as read-only(RO), or
read-write(RW).
• As the name implies, read-only strings only allow
information to be pulled from the agent. However, read-
write strings are much more powerful, and can allow re-
configuration of many of a device’s properties.
• Use extreme caution when implementing read-write
strings. Earlier versions of SNMP transmit strings in clear-
text, raising another security risk.
Syntax to implement SNMP on Router
SNMP-SERVER Community [String] ro – READ ONLY
SNMP-SERVER Community [String] rw – READ WRITE
• NEXT….!!!????
HOW TO INSTALL AND CONFIGURE
SNMP IN WINDOW SERVER…..
