MIB Reference Guide
16 | MIBs Overview Dell Networking W-Series ArubaOS 6.x MIB | Reference Guide
Figure 1 High Level MIB Hierarchy
MIB is one of the elements of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which is used to manage
network devices. To deliver information between devices, every object referred to in an SNMP message
must be listed in the MIB. If a component of a device is not described in a MIB, that component cannot be
recognized by SNMP—there is no information for SNMP managers and SNMP agents to exchange.
The information provided by a MIB is a file that describes network elements with numerical strings. This
information is compiled into readable text by the SNMP manager. For information about reading MIB text
files, see “Reading MIB Files” on page20.
SNMP
Three significant elements of SNMP are Managers, Agents, and MIBs.
Managers (software application) are consoles that are used to communicate with and manage devices
that support SNMP Agents. Managers collect information by polling Agents. Managers can also be used
to send configuration updates or send controlling requests to actively manage a network device.
Agents (software application) provide information from the network devices to the Managers. Network
devices include workstations, routers, microwave radios, and other network components. Agents are