Reference Guide

Introduction 21
For example, the OID for the temperature probe managed object table is 700.20 and the variable for the
location of the temperature probe (temperatureProbeLocationName) has an OID of 700.20.1.8. The full
OIDs for these items are 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.700.20 for the temperatureProbeTable and
1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.700.20.1.8 for the temperatureProbeLocation. For more information about the
structure of OIDs, see "SNMP MIB OIDs."
Description is a brief explanation of what a particular managed object does.
Syntax defines the data type in which the values of the variable must be expressed. Most variables in this
reference guide use standard data types such as string or boolean. All data types that are unique to server
administrator variables are defined at the end of the section in which they occur. Standard data types are
defined in "Standard Data Type Definitions."
Access specifies whether persons with administrative privileges can read but not modify the value of a
variable (read only) or can both read and modify the value of a variable (read-write).
Frequently Used Terms in Variable Names
The following terms are frequently used in the name of a MIB variable:
Capability refers to the actions an object can perform, or to actions that can be taken by the object.
Hot-pluggable is an example of a capability. If a card is hot-pluggable, it can be replaced while a system is
running. Capability settings refer to the capabilities of the object that the user can select from and
activate if desired. Capability settings allow users of the server administrator to predetermine how an
object will behave under specific conditions.
Settings are the conditions of a manageable object that determine what happens when a certain value is
detected in a component. For example, a user can set the upper critical threshold of a temperature probe
to 75 degrees Celsius. If the probe reaches that temperature, the setting causes an alert to be sent to the
management console. Some settings, when reached, can trigger a system shutdown or other response to
prevent damage to the system.
State refers to the condition of an object that has more than one condition. For example, an object may
be in a "not ready" or in an "enabled" state.
Status refers to the health of an object or how the object is functioning. For example, the status of a
temperature probe that is measuring acceptable temperatures would be reported as normal. When the
probe begins reading temperatures that exceed limits set by the user, it reports a critical status.
Tables
This reference guide contains two types of tables: tables that are used to organize and define variable
values and tables that define MIB objects. Readers must understand the differences between these
two types of tables.
SNMP Tables
Most of the MIB objects defined in this reference guide are organized into SNMP tables. SNMP tables
organize data into two-dimensional structural arrays. In SNMP, objects that have a relationship to other
objects are called columnar objects. Columnar objects are the type of object used to form lists and tables.