SNMP introduction

I recently started to learn SNMP (via Zabbix), and I have a question. I know the terms pretty well since there are only 6 or so key terms, but I am left scratching my head about how the SNMP agent is implemented.

Is the agent preloaded on the device that has SNMP support? That would mean I need to access the devices interface to enable the SNMP agent correct? Or am i going down the wrong path here?

I gathered that from the agent explanation here:
http://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/what-is-snmp.html#snmp-agent

Im sure I will have plenty of other questions, this will just be the start....

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

TechGuy215

I'm pretty sure that any device that has an SNMP agent, has a service that autodiscovers. Meaning, by default SNMP on said device is turned on, listening, and ready to accept request.

networker050184

That is not true. It would be a pretty big security risk to have things open and responding to SNMP by default. Every device I've worked with it has to be enabled manually.

DevilWAH

TechGuy215 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that any device that has an SNMP agent, has a service that autodiscovers. Meaning, by default SNMP on said device is turned on, listening, and ready to accept request.

I have to agree, while not all, there is a scary number of devices from big manufactures that have snmp rw and ro set to public and private strings and running as default! Its getting better but one of the first things i check on a new device.

on or not by defualt your going to have to connect and configure it on each agent. (lots of tools to automate this on larger installs)

CodeBlox

I'd have to say I've come across more devices with it off by default however most have default community strings of public... That becomes the bigger problem when lazy admins have enabled SNMP and left the device with the default string.

--chris--

Thank you everyone for your responses, its been a big help. Ill spend some time today attempting to connect the Zabbix host to a device with the agent installed. If I run into any trouble I will be sure to get a hold of you phoeneous.

edit: Forgot to mention, this stuff is awesome.

edit2: Found this Cisco tutorial on SNMP, very good read for someone like me:
http://www.cisco.com/networkers/nw04/presos/docs/NMS-1N02.pdf