SNMP Overview

Introduction

An runs on:

Ethernet communication modules
CPUs with embedded Ethernet communications ports

Network management systems use to monitor and control Ethernet architecture components for the rapid network diagnosis.

Network management systems allows a network manager to:

monitor and control network components
isolate troubles and find their causes
query devices, such as host computer(s), routers, switches, and bridges, to determine their status
obtain statistics about the networks to which they are attached

NOTE: Network management systems are available from a variety of vendors.

Simple Network Management Protocol

Ethernet communication modules support SNMP, the standard protocol for managing local area networks (LANs). SNMP defines exactly how a manager communicates with an agent. SNMP defines the format of:

requests that a manager sends to an agent
replies that the agent returns to the manager

The MIB

The set of objects that SNMP can access is known as a Management Information Base (MIB). Ethernet monitoring and management tools use standard SNMP to access configuration and management objects included in the device’s MIB, providing that:

objects that SNMP can access are defined and given unique names
manager and agent programs agree on the names and meanings of fetch and store operations

products support the Standard MIB II SNMP network management level. This first level of network management can be accessed via this interface. It lets the manager identify the devices that create the architecture and retrieve general information on the configuration and operation of the Ethernet TCP/IP interface.