User guide

Chapter 6. Managing the Router 267
Chapter 6. Managing the Router
This chapter describes the options available for booting software, tells you how to upgrade the router with new
releases of software, and explains the process for maintaining copies of configuration files.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
SNMP, a member of the TCP/IP protocol suite, was designed to provide network management interoperability
among different vendorsÕ management applications and equipment. SNMP provides for the exchange of messages
between a management client and a management agent. The messages contain requests to get or set variables that
exist in network nodes, thus allowing a management client to obtain statistics, set configuration parameters and
monitor events. These variables (or objects) are defined in Management Information Bases (MIBs), some of
which are general or standard SNMP-defined bases. Other bases, such as Enterprise Specific MIBs are defined by
different vendors for specific hardware.
The router provides SNMP agent support and support for standard as well as Enterprise Specific MIBs. SNMP is
also used internally for configuration of the router. The active SNMP agent within the router accepts SNMP
requests for status, statistics, and configuration updates. Communication with the SNMP agent occurs over the
LAN or WAN connection.
The supported MIBs and a description of their contents are listed in the following table:
Any management application using SNMP over UDP/IP has access to the local SNMP agent. SNMP network
management tools vary but often have features to display network maps of SNMP nodes, poll nodes at intervals,
trigger alarms on thresholds, graph or list node statistic counters, view and edit individual MIB variables, and
print reports.
An example of useful information that can be obtained from a remote SNMP client would be the current status of
the routerÕs WAN link and Ethernet interfaces, including protocol (PPP, CSMA-CD), line speed, maximum frame
(transmission unit) size, physical address, operating status, or packet traffic rates.
MIB II
Internet-standard MIB contains only essential elements such as system,
interface, addressing, protocol (e.g., IP) and SNMP objects
Bridge MIB
State/statistics (including spanning tree states) within bridging system
Ethernet MIB
State/statistics of Ethernet port (e.g., collisions)
IP Forwarding MIB
State of routing tables (updates MIB II)
PPP MIB For LCP
State/statistics for each PPP link
Enterprise MIB for conÞguration
Router-speciÞc objects for conÞguration purposes