FW V06.XX/HAFM SW V08.02.00 HP StorageWorks SNMP Reference for Directors and Edge Switches (AA-RQ7BE-TE, July 2004)

Introduction to SNMP
18 SNMP Reference for Directors and Edge Switches
Note: For purposes of the following explanation, an object is a data variable that
represents an attribute of a managed device.
How SNMP Changes Variables (Objects) in a Managed Device
An agent is the entity that interfaces to the object being managed (Figure 2). The
agent understands the language of SNMP and translates between the manager and
the object. Objects may be retrieved and/or modified by the manager, and it is the
agent’s job to return the requested object’s value.
Within the agent is at least one, possibly several, collections of definitions called
Management Information Bases (MIBs). When an agent supports a standard MIB,
it agrees to provide and make available the variables listed in the MIB.
A MIB is a hierarchical tree of groups and variables. Operators at a network
management station enter a command with supported groups and variables from
the MIB.
Figure 2: Retrieving or setting values using MIBs
Standard MIBs
Standard MIBs are those available with SNMP and designed for standard
operation with a wide variety of managed devices. “SNMP Support” on page 21
describes the standard MIBs used by HP StorageWorks Directors, Edge Switches,
and the HA-Fabric Manager (HAFM) application.