EMC Connectrix DS-32M2, User Manual

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Connectrix DS-32M2 User Guide
Using SNMP to Manage the Switch
Introduction
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is used to manage a
network through many platforms. It is a standardized protocol based
on the SMI (Structure of Management Information) standard. SMI
defines the syntax rules for identifying, organizing, and defining
variables in a MIB (Management Information Base). SMI structures
data for easy retrieval.
SNMP management consists of a network management station, an
agent on the switch, a MIB, and the simple network management
protocol. With SNMP, administrators can manage the switch
configuration, faults, performance, accounting, and security from
remote SNMP management stations.
SNMP is a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
that uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) or other protocols such as
UDP/IP to exchange messages between an SNMP agent and a
management station residing on a network. Since SNMP does not
rely on the underlying communication protocols, it can be made
available over other protocols.
A MIB is a hierarchical tree of groups and variables. Operators at a
network management station enter a command with supported
groups and variables from the MIB. Each group is a branch and each
variable is a leaf within the MIB tree. The tree begins with the root. The
MIB for the switch is under the iso branch. (Refer to Figure A-1 on
page A-3.) To get to the switch MIB variables, you must go through
the org, dod, and internet sub-branches.