The protocol allows to retrieve and set variables, addressed as objects in a Management Information Base (MIB). The well-known standard MIB is called MIB-2 and defined in RFC 1213. It contains variables related to the TCP/IP protocol suite. Many additional MIB modules are defined (and sometimes implemented...) by IETF working groups. These modules together with some vendor specific MIB modules allow to monitor and operate equipments like Unix-Hosts, X-Terminals, Printers, Routers, coffee machines, toasters and more.
Access to the MIB is implemented by an SNMP agent. It listens on a well-known UDP port for SNMP requests send by a management station, gets the requested information out of the operating system, and returns a response. A management station can range from a simple command-line tool as contained in this CMU port (e.g. snmpget or snmpwalk) to a complex powerful graphical management station.
Christophe Merlet redfox@redfoxcenter.org | ©Tous droits réservés
28 mars 2000 |