SNMP

• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a popular protocol for network management.
• It is used for collecting information from, and configuring, network devices, such as servers, printers, hubs, switches, and routers on an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 provides SNMP agent software that works with third-party SNMP management software to monitor the status of managed devices and applications.

• An application layer protocol used for management and monitoring of devices on network

• SNMP is used to monitor network performance and to troubleshoot issues

• SNMP provides a framework consisting of the following components

  • SNMP Manager :A network management application running on a PC or a Server

  • SNMP Agents This may include, switches, router, servers, firewall, IP telephone etc.

• SNMP Manager can send query messages to the device being managed/monitored

• Variables are defined as OID

  • Name:
  • Interface status
  • Uptime
  • Temperature

• MIB (Management Information Base) contains variables describing device configuration & status

• SNMP manager retrieve information from SNMP agent using "get" action

Device name

Interface status

Routing information

• SNMP manager can send/change information on SNMP agent using "set" action

• SNMP agent can send their status information on their own using "trap" or "inform"

• SNMP manager will send acknowledgement for messages being sent as "inform"

SNMP Versions

• SNMP implementation support multiple version
• SNMPV1: This is initial implementation of SNMP protocol
• SNMPV2C: It improved the performance in terms of security of SNMPV1 using community strings Password
• SNMPV3: It provided confidentiality, integrity and authentication to SNMP