Specifications

SNMP Interface

C-2 Falcon

4400 Series with Windows

Mobile

SNMP Concepts

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a standardized protocol for

network management services using a client/server model. The network man-

agement program (client) issues queries and commands to the remote device

(agent/server). The protocol itself defines a number of variable types and struc-

tures, and the rules for using them for data transfer. Using these variable types

and rules, there are a number of standard variables that are supported by all

SNMP agents. These standards include network addressing (IP address, sub-

net mask, etc.), and network statistics (total packets, bad packets, etc.).

FMU uses Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to perform many

of its functions. When the Terminal Configuration or Terminal Report func-

tion is selected, SNMP is used to query the Terminal for its current Configura-

tion settings, as well as current status information such as battery status and

memory usage. In the same function, SNMP is used to update Terminal Con-

figuration settings when directed to. SNMP is also used by the FMU Servers

to perform the automated Group Configuration update. The Server issues

SNMP queries to discover the current Terminal Configuration, then uses

SNMP commands to update any Configuration settings that need it.

MIB Files

A Management Information Base (MIB) is a file that defines a set of SNMP

variables, their types and usage. There are a number of standard MIBs avail-

able, depending on the information being managed.

PSC MIBs

Beyond the standard values, SNMP allows manufacturers to define their own

private MIBs. For example, PSC has been assigned an MIB by the Internet

Assigned Numbers Authority that allows PSC to define SNMP values relating

specifically to devices that we manufacture. Within the PSC MIB, several cate-

gories of values have been defined including scanner Configurations, Terminal

power Configurations and Terminal network parameters.

The format of an MIB follows rules laid out in the appropriate standards,

allowing the manufacturers of network management tools such as HP Open-

View and CastleRock SNMPc to make use of the MIBs developed by manu-

facturers. So by following the procedures used by the management tool, the

MIB can be processed by the tool allowing the proper display of SNMP values

retrieved from the agent.