SNMP provides standardized, extendible, and portable Network Management features:
- Configuration Management - Keeping track of device (SNMP managed nodes)
inventory, configuration, provisioning
(settings and how they function).
- Fault Management -
Proactively and reactively dealing with problems and emergencies in the network.
(router stops routing, server loses power, etc.)
- Performance Management - How smoothly is the network running?
Can it handle current and future workload?
SNMP was first developed in 1988 as part of the TCP/IP suite
to exchange information about the configuration and status of nodes.
SNMP defines the arrangement of messages sent to configure, monitor, and control
bridges, hubs, routers, network servers, and other equipment.
This Network Managment system is based on the Manager/Agent paradigm:
- Agent servers
running on each managed node collecting information about the device it runs on.
- Manager clients running on a management workstation
requesting information about devices on the network.
This Network Management Station (NMS) Microsoft calls its SNMP Console:
- installed from Windows Component > Management and Monitoring Tools
- invoked from the MMC Computer Management console > Services and Applications > SNMP Services.
Management system clients "pull" data from agents by issueing GET
status inquiries (e.g., to monitor printer queues) and
SET requests to manage devices.
The Console also send management information to:
- set up addresses for devices
- assign priorities for communication
- install software on the network
- manage databases
Agent SNMP servers respond to GET commands with GET-RESPONSE
message back to the SNMP Console.
Agent servers also "push" trap messages to clients,
reporting extraordinary events.
Microsoft Windows 2000 uses the separate SNMP Trap Service
(snmptrap.exe) to receive trap messages from agents.
Proxy agents cache and translate data between the network and devices that cannot implement SNMP.
On Microsoft Windows the SNMP Agent is the SNMP Service (snmp.exe)
automatically started by default.
On Microsoft machines, SNMP stores it configuration in Windows Registry
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/SNMP.
Simple Network Monitoring Protocol
Yoram Cohen's Intro to SNMP
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Network Management vendors and products:
