Device Management
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8.5 SNMP
8.5.1 Overview
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is the network management protocol
applied most widely in the current TCP/IP network. Based on the SNMP, a management
workstation can remotely manage all network devices supporting such a protocol, including
monitoring the network state, modifying the network device configuration, and receiving the
network event warnings.
SNMP can shield the physical differentiation of different devices, implement automated
management of devices manufactured by different manufacturers, and is especially
applicable to the small-size, rapid and low-cost environments.
Management framework of SNMP
SNMP management framework includes three component parts: SNMP administrator,
SNMP agent and MIB base (Management Information Base).
SNMP administrator: a system that controls and monitors network nodes using SNMP
protocol. Where, the most common SNMP administrator in network environment is
referred to as network management system (NMS). A network management system can
indicate either a server specially set up to carry out network management, or an
application program installed on a certain network device to implement the
management functions.
SNMP agent: a software module installed on a managed device to manage the
management information data of the managed device and to report the management
data to a SNMP management system when necessary.
MIB base: a collection of managed objects. It defines a series of properties of the
managed object: name, access authority and data type of the object. Each SNMP agent
has its own MIB. SNMP administrator can carry out read/write operation on the objects
listed in the MIB as per the authority.
SNMP administrator is the administrator of SNMP network, SNMP agent is the manager of
the SNMP network, and the both exchange management information through SNMP
protocol.
Basic operation of SNMP
In this switch, SNMP provides the following three basic operations to implement the
exchange between the SNMP administrator and SNMP agent:
