Open Source Network Monitoring System

Introduction

In my previous post, it was about Net-SNMP. If you use it for SNMP Trap, in most cases you will see the trap from the device (router, switch, server, ups, printer, etc) will be look like this, taken from snmptt website:

Feb 12 13:37:10 server11 snmptrapd[25409]: 192.168.110.192: Enterprise Specific Trap (3008) Uptime: 306 days, 23:13:24.29, .1.3.6.1.2.1.1.5.0 = SERVER08, .1.3.6.1.4.1.232.11.2.11.1.0 = 0, .1.3.6.1.4.1.232.3.2.3.1.1.4.8.1 = rebuilding(7)

or

Feb 12 13:37:10 server11 snmptrapd[25409]: 192.168.110.192: Enterprise Specific Trap (3008) Uptime: 306 days, 23:13:24.29, sysName.0 = SERVER08, cpqHoTrapFlags.0 = 0, cpqDaLogDrvStatus.8.1 = rebuilding(7)

This example is taken from  a Compaq cpqDa3LogDrvStatusChange trap. In the first example, the trap received by snmptrapd is in Numeric OIDs MIB Format. While the second example, we have ordered snmptrapd to use Symbolic OIDs.

Why don’t we translate it to more readable format. So the people at Network Monitoring Center could read it clearly and do the right act as soon as possible. Let say, the trap will become look like this:

Feb 12 13:37:13 server11 TRAPD: .1.3.6.1.4.1.232.0.3008 Normal “XLOGONLY” server08 - Logical Drive Status Change: Status is now rebuilding

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Introduction

I can say, Simple Network Management Protocol is a standard widely used in monitoring. From router, switch, firewall, printer, server, ups, cellular nodes and many other devices. There has been 3 versions of SNMP. SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, SNMPv3. With SNMPv3 as the securest implementation.

Most network monitoring software will use SNMP to collect device information. From CPU, Memory, Disk, Interface, Battery Status, Signal, etcs. You have to set either read and or write access permission in the device to let network monitoring software monitor it.

Net-SNMP is made by open source community as an SNMP implementation. It supports all version and IPv4 and IPv6 as well. As stated in it’s website, the SNMP implementations are in the area:

1. Command-line applications to:
   • retrieve information from an SNMP-capable device, either using single requests (snmpget, snmpgetnext), or multiple requests (snmpwalk, snmptable, snmpdelta).
   • manipulate configuration information on an SNMP-capable device (snmpset).
   • retrieve a fixed collection of information from an SNMP-capable device (snmpdf, snmpnetstat, snmpstatus).
   • convert between numerical and textual forms of MIB OIDs, and display MIB content and structure (snmptranslate).

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Introduction

Another great product from open source community. If you have read Dynagen and Dynamips then this will enhance your experience in cisco simulation. GNS3 offers complex graphical network simulator and launch simulation on them.

Features currently supported by GNS 3 are:

• Designing high quality complex network topologies.
• Emulating Cisco routers and PIX firewalls.
• Simulating simple Ethernet, ATM and Frame Relay switches.
• Load and save in Dynagen’s INI-like format.
• Image export (JPEG, PNG, BMP and XPM)

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