Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Abstract

Successfully managing a computer system, especially one used in a production environment, requires detailed information relating to the performance of each subsystem as well as the software which makes the system useful. Successfully managing a network of computers, on the other hand, requires an automated method of extracting, storing and presenting this information if it is to be of practical value. The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is designed to facilitate exactly this whilst also providing a limited ability to reconfigure systems remotely.

This documentation aims to be a thorough introduction to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) from installation to advanced use. Topics covered include Access Control, Basic Queries, Tabular Queries, Monitoring Hardware (disk space, temperature sensors, harddisk SMART data, etc) and Monitoring Software (number of processes, memory use, etc) as well as monitoring network devices (interface throughput, dropped packets, etc).

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