System information

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Observer Suite: SNMP Management
Console
SNMP Management Console is a part of Network Instruments’ Observer Suite, bringing
the cross-platform SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) standard to the
Observer console.
SNMP is not “simple” as its name implies. On the contrary, it is a difficult
concept to understand. A brief overview and description of SNMP follows;
however, it is by no means a comprehensive discussion. This overview is
intended to give you a very simple introduction to SNMP. You don’t have to
be a software engineer to understand SNMP, but you will find that using
Observers’ SNMP Management Console is easier to use with a basic
understanding of how SNMP works.
SNMP Overview
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an application-layer protocol designed
to facilitate the exchange of management information between network devices. The
SNMP system consists of three parts: SNMP Manager, SNMP Agent, and MIB.
• SNMP Manager—uses information in the MIB to perform operations on each object.
• SNMP Agent—gathers data from the MIB, which is the repository for information
about device parameters and network data. The agent also can send traps, or
notifications of certain events, to the manager.
• Management Information Base (MIB)—stores the information about each managed
object.
From the perspective of a network manager, network management takes place between
two major types of systems: those in control, called managing systems, and those observed
and controlled, called managed systems. The most common managing system is called a
Network Management System (NMS). Managed systems can include hosts, servers, or
network components such as routers or intelligent repeaters.
The exchange of information between managed network devices and a robust NMS is
essential for reliable performance of a managed network. Because some devices have a
limited ability to run management software, most of the computer processing burden is
assumed by the NMS. The NMS runs the network management applications that present
management information to network managers and other users.