CHAPT ER
31-1
Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-8553-06
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Configuring SNMP
This chapter describes how to configure the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) on the
Catalyst 3560 switch.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command
reference for this release and the Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference, Release
12.2 from the Cisco.com page under Documentation > Cisco IOS Software > 12.2 Mainline >
Command References.
This chapter consists of these sections:
Understanding SNMP, page 31-1
Configuring SNMP, page 31-6
Displaying SNMP Status, page 31-18

Understanding SNMP

SNMP is an application-layer protocol that provides a message format for communication between
managers and agents. The SNMP system consists of an SNMP manager, an SNMP agent, and a MIB.
The SNMP manager can be part of a network management system (NMS) such as CiscoWorks. The
agent and MIB reside on the switch. To configure SNMP on the switch, you define the relationship
between the manager and the agent.
The SNMP agent contains MIB variables whose values the SNMP manager can request or change. A
manager can get a value from an agent or store a value into the agent. The agent gathers data from the
MIB, the repository for information about device parameters and network data. The agent can also
respond to a manager’s requests to get or set data.
An agent can send unsolicited traps to the manager. Traps are messages alerting the SNMP manager to
a condition on the network. Traps can mean improper user authentication, restarts, link status (up or
down), MAC address tracking, closing of a TCP connection, loss of connection to a neighbor, or other
significant events.
These sections contain this conceptual information:
SNMP Versions, page 31-2
SNMP Manager Functions, page 31-3
SNMP Agent Functions, page 31-3