Essential SNMP: Help for System and Network Administrators

I hadn't seen a new book on SNMP come out in some time, and the older ones I had read were so abstract and unhelpful that I was reluctant to try another one. This book, though not perfect, is much better than the older books I have looked at on the subject. For one thing, it just didn't dive into the subject with a bunch of confusing graphs and object trees assuming I already knew the big picture. Chapter one is just a general introduction to SNMP and network management. Chapter 2 goes into details on both SNMPv1 and SNMPv2. It talks about how SNMP sends and receives information, how to read MIB files, and about SNMP communities. It looks in detail at three MIB's - MIB-II, Host Resources, and RMON. MIB-II is a very important management group because every device that supports SNMP must also support MIB-II, thus objects from MIB-II are used in examples through the whole book. Chapter 3 introduces SNMPv3, which addresses the security problems present in v1 and v2. Next the book introduces the idea of a network management architecture. It stresses that you need a plan that helps you use Network Management Stations (NMS's) effectively in order to effectively manage your network. This section includes how to properly choose your hardware and what questions you need to ask yourself. Next the book discusses actually installing and running your software. Specifically HP's OpenView Network Node Manager and Castle Rock's SNMPc Enterprise Edition are discussed. Included are detailed instructions along with screenshots of the application. Next there are instructions on how to configure SNMP agents. You are walked through some standard configuration parameters plus some advanced parameters that sometimes crop up. Once again there are plenty of screen shots to help you know you are on the right path. Now that you've been walked through the configuration of your system and the installation of software, the book shows you how to use the three basic SNMP operations of snmpget, snmpset, and snmpwalk. A group of Perl scripts are shown that set, get, and walk objects. Next HP OpenView and Net-SNMP are used to perform the same operations from the command line. A third alternative is demonstrated that uses OpenView's graphical MIB Browser. Next is a discussion of how to set up SNMP to poll your devices at certain intervals and to set thresholds that require action if crossed. Again Perl scripts enter the discussion for configuring this set-up. SNMPc and OpenView screen shots show you how to configure this using graphical interfaces, and what to expect. Next the book discusses traps, which are how an agent sends a monitoring station asynchronous notification about certain key conditions that may require action. The book demonstrates how to handle traps using OpenView and Perl scripts. Next the book shows how to read, configure, and even define your own traps. The book now turns to the problem of agents that need to be extended in their abilities. The book discuss

I got HP OV NNM 7.5 started at work on a rush due to the need of increasing proactive response to the regular problems. This book, even based on old versions of the software I have in hand came up to be very straight to the point and was full of examples that aid me to realise how SNMP works. Even when you are a seasoned sysadmin/netadmin you happen to be off the road with topics of paramount importance such as SNMP. Don't be afraid of the age, this book is great for the price, and the authors made it big. Five stars...

I was transferred to Manage a networking group in my company knowing barely the basics about SNMP. This book was a fantastic tool for me! I rely on it heavily. This book has enabled me to take monitoring to the next level. The only problem I seem to have with the book is keeping it on my desk. All the network analysts constantly are using it. Thanks Doug and Kevin for allowing me to excel to a higher level.....

Having a little familiarity with SMNP, I looked forward to reading this book. I wasn't disappointed as it's well-written and filled with excellent information, which I've always found to be true of O'Reilly books. What I enjoyed a lot about this book was its general look first off at what SMNP is, why it's important, SMNP managers and agents, how it in most cases works better with UDP as opposed to TCP, etc.This book also describes the various types of Network Management Services architectures, the compatible hardware and network management software available, how to configure specific SMNP agents to monitor a specific device on a network, and how polling works, among other topics.As always with O'Reilly books, there's a wealth of reference information at the back of the book (for example, Using Input and Output Octects, command line tools, and a list of SNMP RFC's to refer to for more information). If you're a sys admin or anyone else desiring to learn more about SMNP, this book covers a lot of important SMNP information.

I have been doing network/router/system administration for about 3 years, and I have never really had the time/opportunity/need to do SNMP. Our network grew to be very large very quickly (sites in africa, england, germany, canada, america) and it became neccesary to use SNMP to ease the administration somewhat. I first bought "A practical guide to SNMPv3 and Network Management" and could barely get past page 8 before I was totally lost. So I came back looking for "21 days" or "SNMP for dummies" book of which there are none. I found this book which recommends a good grasp of TCP/IP and that is about it. I have found this book to be the best book out there for someone with 0 to little experience with SNMP. It brought me all the way from ground 0 knowledge of SNMP to managing a network of about 100 routers with SNMP, including detecting DoS attacks, processor overload, interface changes, config changes etc.I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a practical SNMP managed network, beginner or advanced.