Chapter 5 Configuring Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
SNMP Overview
5-2
Cisco Content Services Switch Administration Guide
OL-5647-02
SNMP Overview
SNMP is a set of network management standards for IP-based internetworks.
SNMP includes a protocol, a database-structure specification, and a set of
management data objects. SNMP implementations typically consist of a
management application running on one or more network management systems
(NMSs), and agent applications, usually executing in firmware on various
network devices.
SNMP has two major standard revisions, SNMPv1 and SNMPv2. The CSS
supports both SNMPv1 and SNMPv2C (SNMP version 2C), a standard
Management Information Base (MIB-II) object, along with an extensive set of
enterprise MIB objects. MIBs are discussed in the “Management Information
Base (MIB) Overview” section.
This section includes the following topics:
• Managers and Agents
• SNMP Manager and Agent Communication
Note By default, SNMP access to the CSS is enabled through the no restrict snmp
command. For details, see the “Preparing to Configure SNMP on the CSS”
section.
Managers and Agents
SNMP uses software entities called managers and agents to manage network
devices:
• The manager monitors and controls all other SNMP-managed devices
(network nodes) in the network. There must be at least one SNMP manager
in a managed network. The manager is installed on a workstation somewhere
in the network.
• An agent resides in a managed device (a network node). The agent receives
instructions from the SNMP manager, and also sends management
information back to the SNMP manager as events occur. The agent can reside
on routers, bridges, hubs, workstations, or printers, to name just a few
network devices.