SNMP monitoring tips and techniques
Article ID: 57055
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
Need some guidance or best practices when monitoring network devices using SNMP.
Environment
- Release: Any
- Component: UIMSGT
- snmpget
- snmpcollector
Resolution
Configuration Tips
Make sure you adjust the SNMP request timeout settings to at least 5 secs and Retrys to 2 as the default for timeouts may be too low for your devices or environment.
Note that if you have trouble connecting to a device, it may be due to SNMP either not being enabled on the device or not configured properly on the device itself. Set the loglevel to 3 on the probe and you may find better debug information when you Test the connection.
Obtain the MIBs
Download the MIB/MIBs from oidview.com or another site or get them from the vendor of from the device via the devices Administrative interface.
Import the MIBs (if required)
The MIB/MIBs and any/all dependent MIBs listed in the IMPORTS section of the MIB(s) need to be loaded via the MIB wizard as well. Most errors in the MIB browser tend to be caused by dependent MIBs not being loaded.
Once you've identified the specific MIB variable(s)/OIDs you need and you have the MIB, identify any/all MIBs you need to use and any dependent MIBs you'll need to load based on the IMPORTS section of those MIBs. Save the MIBs as a .txt file and make sure there are no bad characters/returns in the file(s) and import them using the MIB import wizard.
Identify KPIs
Review the MIB/MIBs and take note of the Key Performance Indicators you require for monitoring, e.g., CPU, connection, memory, transactions, etc. - whatever makes sense for the device/MIB. Import the MIBs and finish. Then cold start the probe (deactivate-activate). If necessary discuss what needs to be monitored with your internal contact in the appropriate department internally and/or with the vendor.
Identify the set of OID(s) and browse the MIB using the icon on the top left side of the GUI and then drag and drop the desired entries into the snmpget window on the right-side to configure.
Note that you can click the green plus sign to save an OID you copy and paste in to the dropdown window for later use.
Configure each profile/OID
Once you drag and drop the desired entries into the snmpget window on the right-side to configure them:
- Set the name to a shorter name
- Set the threshold based on the current values collected which are displayed in the column in the GUI or a known limit, e.g., 40 degrees celsius for an acceptable UPS device temperature.
- Optionally, rt-click and open and save the SNMP Description info via copy and paste. Unfortunately, you have to do so for each line in the description if it spans more than one line of text.
- Add Custom QoS (Add new QoS...) and name it using your desired syntax as short as possible but logical enough so you can more easily find the QoS/reference it when needed for dashboards or other usage.
Note that you should make a backup copy of the snmpget probe you configured from the Nimsoft archive directory on the local filesystem itself for safekeeping once you are finished with the configuration.
Feedback
