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MIBs

SNMP uses a data structure known as Management Information Base, or MIB, to store information. Each piece of information, or object, in the MIB has a unique Object Identifier. Object identifiers are indices based on a tree structure. The information is held in a “node” at the end of a “branch” in the tree. The Object Identifier shows the path by listing each branch needed to reach the node.

The identifier serves to name or reference the object. MIBs for specific companies are allocated to the MIB branch known as enterprise. Thus, each company branches from the general branch known as enterprise.

From that point on in the MIB, the company developing the MIB controls the information and Object Identifier used to reference the data. This information is required to coordinate the sending and receiving of data between an SNMP-compliant device and an SNMP-based network management system.

When both the SNMP Agent and SNMP Management system have the same MIB structure, data can be easily transferred and used. SNMP data packets, each containing an object identifier and information associated with that object, are passed between the device and management system to populate the appropriate fields in the receiver’s MIB. Both the Agent and Management System can then reference the object and process the data as needed.

The terminal server has a general MIB as well as proprietary MIBs for companies that use the terminal server as an SNMP trap proxy.

The following table shows the basic set-up of a MIB and provides information about:

Object Identifiers – The index used to identify the information in the MIB.

Object Data – The information contained in the referenced data node.

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HP A5799A manual MIBs