Simple network management protocol, SNMP - part 2

Without MIB, SNMP would be worthless. Management information base or MIB is a virtual database used for managing entities in a communications network. Objects in a MIB are defined using ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation One) subset called "Structure of Management Information Version 2 (SMIv2)". For parsing we use MIB compiler.

MIB database is structured as tree hierarchy and entries are addressed through object identifiers or OIDs.

Example MIB tree structure

When SNMP manager wants to know some value, like system name, some element uptime or alarm status, it will send GET message including OID for each object. OID is written similar to any tree-structured entity (e.g. DNS) .1.3.6.1.2.1.... When elements receives OID, it searches it in his management information base.

If OID is found (the object is managed by element), a response packet is sent with the current value of object. If the OID is not found, a special error report, which identifies the unmanaged object, is generated and sent

Until next tutorial.... Stay live and healthy :)