Re: [cobalt-users] SNMP- purpose?

[Kris Dahl <kris@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 1/19/00 12:33 PM, Bill Gunning at billgun@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>> SNMP : Simple Network Management Protocol is a protocol used to query
>> information from a device and can be used to set parameters on it. On
>> hosts, it can provide such information as uptime, CPU usage etc.
>> (depends on how it is configured). On routers and network stuff (where
>> it becomes useful) it will generally let you monitor usage and prot
>> status etc.
> 
> Is their any benefits to learning about SNMP for a small netowrk
> running one or two RaQs? on a 1.5m SDSL line with no other
> equipment?

Well, its kind of nice to know if you equipment is up and running, and if
there are any problems.  I knwo the HP servers will let you know things like
the fact that your hard drive is failing or out of space, if you have bad
memory, etc.  I don't think the Cobalt machines are have that kind of
redundancy to where you can run the server 'hobbled' for very long or at
all.  Basically, I guess I am saying that it is either up or its down, no in
between.  So if its helpfull to proactively know this information, it would
make sense to run a network management/monitoring package to watch your
servers and routers.  More than likely your router also has SNMP hooks.

I haven't played with the Cobalt's SNMP stuff, however, so I don't really
know what all it offers.  But I am sure it can tell you some basic
monitoring info (like avail hd space, etc.).

-k