Debugging functions, diagnostics and troubleshooting   
10.5 Network Infrastructure Diagnostics (SNMP) 
  S7-300, CPU 31xC and CPU 31x: Installation 
10-8  Operating Instructions, Edition 08/2004, A5E00105492-05 
10.5  Network Infrastructure Diagnostics (SNMP) 
Network Diagnostics 
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is the standardized protocol for diagnostics 
of the Ethernet network infrastructure and for assignment of parameters to it. 
Within the office area and in automation engineering, devices of a wide range of vendors 
support SNMP on Ethernet. 
Applications based on SNMP can be operated on the same network at the same time as 
applications with PROFINET. 
The range of functions supported differs depending on the device type. A switch, for 
example, has more functions than a CP 1616. 
Uses of SNMP 
SNMP can be used as follows: 
•  By the IT administration of users of machines and plants to monitor their Industrial 
Ethernet network using standard network management systems. 
•  By users to integrate network diagnostics in a central HMI/SCADA system. 
•  By the IT administration to monitor primarily the office network but also in many cases the 
automation network using standard network management systems (for example HP 
Openview). 
•  By automation engineers (plant operator) to integrate network diagnostics in a central 
HMI/SCADA system using the SNMP OPC server. 
Software for SNMP 
As an open standard, you can use any systems or software solutions for diagnostics based 
on SNMP in PROFINET. 
The SNMP OPC server, for example, supports SNMP. 
Application Examples for SNMP 
•  Network administrator of IT sets parameters for switches / routers during commissioning 
and service 
–  using vendor-specific network management software 
•  Network administrator of IT runs overview and detailed diagnostics during operation using 
the network management system 
–  using vendor-specific network management software 
•  Plant operator runs diagnostics during operation 
–  using HMI/SCADA system. 
The SNMP OPC server is required for this.