Q-Logic MKII-BASE16 user manual Managing the Switch Using Snmp, Network Management

Managing the Switch Using SNMP

Managing the Switch Using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Note:

Before you use SNMP you must connect the Switch’s Ethernet interface to an Ethernet network and configure its IP network address, its IP subnetwork mask, and its IP gateway address. Refer to the Ethernet Cabling and Configuring the Switch Ethernet Port paragraphs in this section.

Network management is the process of planning, organizing, and controlling a communications-oriented system. This involves two types of issues: software- related (data security, overseeing applications, user accounts, and permissions) and hardware-related. These paragraphs concentrate primarily on the second issue

--the management of the network as a whole, using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) as the transport protocol. The Switch uses SNMP as the transport protocol. Network Management examines:

• Network Management

• The Network Management Station

• The Switch Node Agent

• The Management Information Bases (MIBs)

• The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Network Management

Various forms of network management capabilities have been built into most network hardware pieces which includes workstations, servers, network cards, routers, bridges, hubs, etc. Because these nodes are generally dispersed throughout a network configuration, the administrator relies on the built-in communication functions to remotely query the status of the equipment as well as receive alerts when problems occur. There are two fundamental goals when designing and setting up a network management infrastructure to ensure optimal management. First, management information traffic should not significantly increase overall network traffic. Second, the node agent should not significantly increase the processing overhead (thus, interfering with that node’s primary function).

The basic concept of network management involves a network manager exchanging information with processes (agents) residing within network nodes using SNMP. The network management station communicates with the different management processes to gather data and construct visual representations about the status of the network. The network manager handles the overall network software and inter-node communications. Support software provides a user interface that allows the administrator to observe the condition of the entire system as well as individual components, and monitor any specific node.

3-48Switch Management	GigWorks MkII-16 Switch Model MKII-BASE16
	59003-01 Rev. A	Installer's/User's Manual