Chapter 8 - Internetworking and Management Overview

MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS

SNMP is used for remote configuration of system and bridge parameters, monitoring statistics, and performing advanced management. FTP is used for the Campus-REX2 to download system software code.

SNMP

This messaging protocol specifies how to send information between a Network Management Station (NMS) or Element Management System (EMS) and managed devices on a network.

SNMP Functions

Managed devices (such as the Campus-REX2) have agent software or firmware that interprets SNMP requests and responds to them. The EMS communicates with the agents in the managed devices to:

•set configuration options

•read configuration information

•read status parameters

A Management Information Base (MIB) defines these configuration and status parameters (see “MIB and Trap Support” on page 133). The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) specifies standard MIBs for certain types of devices, ensuring that any NMS can manage them. Additionally, vendors can issue proprietary MIBs for their devices that provide higher management functionality.

Campus-REX2 SNMP Agent

An agent is software or firmware code resident in managed devices (such as the Campus-REX2, modems, nodes, routers and hubs). Agents translate data on remote networks into code the EMS can read. The EMS uses SNMP as the transport mechanism to communicate with an agent. SNMP uses the standard Internet Protocol (IP) to transport incoming and outgoing messages to the appropriate agent or NMS address. Each SNMP command requires an IP address or NMS from the agent to transport these messages.

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Campus-REX2 RS Interface Card User Manual