C
HAPTER
2
| Initial Switch Configuration
Basic Configuration
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ENABLING SNMP
MANAGEMENT ACCESS
The switch can be configured to accept management commands from
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) applications such as Edge-
Core ECView Pro. You can configure the switch to respond to SNMP
requests or generate SNMP traps.
When SNMP management stations send requests to the switch (either to
return information or to set a parameter), the switch provides the
requested data or sets the specified parameter. The switch can also be
configured to send information to SNMP managers (without being
requested by the managers) through trap messages, which inform the
manager that certain events have occurred.
The switch includes an SNMP agent that supports SNMP version 1, 2c, and
3 clients. To provide management access for version 1 or 2c clients, you
must specify a community string. The switch provides a default MIB View
(i.e., an SNMPv3 construct) for the default “public” community string that
provides read access to the entire MIB tree, and a default view for the
“private” community string that provides read/write access to the entire
MIB tree. However, you may assign new views to version 1 or 2c
community strings that suit your specific security requirements (see
"Setting SNMPv3 Views" on page 402).
COMMUNITY STRINGS (FOR SNMP VERSION 1 AND 2C CLIENTS)
Community strings are used to control management access to SNMP
version 1 and 2c stations, as well as to authorize SNMP stations to receive
trap messages from the switch. You therefore need to assign community
strings to specified users, and set the access level.
The default strings are:
◆ public - with read-only access. Authorized management stations are
only able to retrieve MIB objects.
◆ private - with read/write access. Authorized management stations are
able to both retrieve and modify MIB objects.
To prevent unauthorized access to the switch from SNMP version 1 or 2c
clients, it is recommended that you change the default community strings.
To configure a community string, complete the following steps:
1. From the Privileged Exec level global configuration mode prompt, type
“snmp-server community string mode,” where “string” is the
community access string and “mode” is rw (read/write) or ro (read
only). Press <Enter>. (Note that the default mode is read only.)
2. To remove an existing string, simply type “no snmp-server community
string,” where “string” is the community access string to remove. Press
<Enter>.