Mac OS 8.5: What Is SNMP?

I notice that Mac OS 8.5 includes a component called SNMP. What is it, and what can I do with it?
This article discusses the following questions about OT/SNMP:

What is SNMP?

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) was originally developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force to manage large TCP/IP networks containing hardware from different vendors. SNMP has since been broadened to run independently of any network protocol, and is now a standard for managing devices on a multi-vendor network.
SNMP is a network management system that consists of SNMP management software running on a computer called a console, and SNMP agent software installed on each network computer. The agents installed on a networked computer collect management information-called variables -from the computer and relay this information to the management console.

The variables that can be managed by an SNMP agent are defined in a database called a MIB (Management Information Base). A MIB specifies what each variable does and whether it can be modified. Within a MIB, variables may be organized into tables (collections of variables) and groups. For example, a hardware group describes the physical parts of the computer, such as the expansion cards in the computer and the type of SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) devices connected to the computer. An interface table (iftable) group would contain information about the network interfaces on a machine, hardware addresses (when applicable), network speed, and status.

The administrative relationship between a console and one or more networked computers is called a community. A community is identified by a unique name, which authenticates a console as a valid member of the community. Once a console is authenticated, each managed computer must then determine the type of access privileges (read/write, read only, or no access) the console has to the variables on that computer. This collection of variable access privileges is called the community view.


Mac OS 8.5 includes the agent side of SNMP network management system (custom install required), allowing the Macintosh computers to be managed by a third-party console. Included with the Mac OS 8.5 customer install is the SNMP Administrator, which runs on each networked Macintosh, and collects a variety of information from the individual SNMP agents and relays this information to the console.

The SNMP Administrator program can be used to import or export a community, and to change access privileges to the data in the MIBs being collected.

How would I use SNMP?
SNMP is often used to manage large, multi-vendor environments. Data from network entities can be collected and analyzed to provide insight for troubleshooting and network management. A network administrator might use SNMP to gather routing tables and traffic statistics on routers or bridges. They could also set up traps, i.e., configure the console so that a specific event (such as a server going down) would set off an alarm (alerts sound, e-mail, a page).

From a Macintosh agent, the network administrator could gather information about the system software, the hardware, the TCP/IP connections, and the AppleTalk connections. SNMP is a very powerful tool, but it would require a good deal of knowledge about networking to be able to interpret some of the information it returns.

What do I need to get started with SNMP?
To use SNMP on your network, you would need SNMP agent software on your workstations (OT/SNMP for your Macs), a third-party SNMP console, and network connectivity between them.


Installing OT/SNMP
Included with Mac OS 8.5 is the installer for the SNMP Agent software, which includes some extensions and the SNMP Administrator application. This software can be installed by doing a custom install, selecting the Mac OS component to custom install, and then again doing a custom install (rather than the default "recommended installation") of the Mac OS. When you select a custom install of the Mac OS, go under "Networking" and select SNMP.

Additional note: When using OT/SNMP, you must set TCP/IP to initialize at system startup time. To do so, go into the TCP/IP control panel, go into "Advanced" mode (Command-U), select "Options" and Deselect "Load only when needed." Then restart the workstation.

System Requirements:
The OT/SNMP software requires:

SNMP Console
You'll also need some sort of console--SNMP Management software--that will collect, display and help you analyze the data that are collected. SNMP Management Software can run on a variety of platforms, but there are a few available for the Macintosh.

Dartware, LLC has a demo version of its InterMapper SNMP console that monitors network equipment and alerts managers to problems on the product's web site: http://www.dartware.com/intermapper/

Dartware also has a SNMP query tool called SNMP Watcher posted at their web site: http://www.dartware.com/snmpwatcher/

Neon Software also offers a product called LANsurveyor and has a demo version available on their web site:
http://www.neon.com/

To locate other third-party software developers who offer SNMP Management Software do an Internet search or search the Macintosh Products Guide at http://guide.apple.com/ .

Known Issues
The TCP/IP stack must be initialized at system startup time for the SNMP agent software to load on a computer. Use the "Options" button in the TCP/IP control panel (visible when in "Advanced" mode) to Deselect the "Load only when needed" option.

OT/SNMP replaces earlier versions of SNMP agent software for the Mac, called MacSNMP, which shipped as a component of "AppleTalk Connection Kit for the Macintosh" and "TCP/IP Connection Kit for the Macintosh." Extensions and applications using the MacSNMP APIs are not supported and must be revised to use OT/SNMP APIs.

Where Can I Get More Information?
Details about the SNMP specification and the MIB's are found in RFC's (Request for Comments).
Some RFC's related to SNMP include:

See the following article for additional 3rd party SNMP software:
Tech Info Library Article 9780: "Neon Software, Inc."

This article provides information about a non-Apple product. Apple, Inc. is not responsible for its content. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

The following Tech Info Library article can help you search for a particular vendor's address and phone number:
Article 17159: "Locating Vendor Information"
Published Date: Feb 20, 2012