SNMP

new SNMP simulation tool

In the last time i have a lot to do with creating and testing SNMP monitors in our monitoring system. Rather than being surprised when a SNMP monitor doesn’t work correctly, i would like to test my newly created monitors against a SNMP simulation tool.

So i was looking for an SNMP simulating tool. But the only ones i could found, are to expensive for me or not useable.

Cause of this, i started to develope my own SNMP simulation tool running on Windows system.

The currently planed features are: read more

Create a calculated SNMP monitor

Sometimes you need a SCOM monitor which was calculated from one or more SNMP values. Maybe the values have to be calculated, cause the value is in an unhandy format or unit. In this example i will monitor the input frequency for an for an UPS. The originaly readed value is in 1/10 Hz, but i like to monitor in Hz.

Create the monitor

Select Timed Script Two State Monitor and select the destination managementpack.

Insert this code to the field Script:

As you see, you have to define the SNMP OID in the script. After this you can calculate with the returned value and define rules for the GOOD and BAD state. read more

Create a calculated SNMP Rule in SCOM

Sometimes you need a SCOM Rule which was calculated from one or more SNMP values. Maybe the values have to be calculated, cause the value is in an unhandy format or unit. In this example i will create a Rule and a Performance View to show the autonomny time for an APC UPS. The originaly readed value is in 1/100 seconds, but i want it to show in minutes.

Creating the Rule

Insert this Code to the field Script:

As you see, you have to define the SNMP OID in the script. After this you can calculate with the returned value. To get the devices ip address and communitystring, you have to define this parameters, which could be readed by the script with Wscript.Arguments: read more

VariantTypes

When you manualy edit a monitor or rule in the SCOM Authorin Console, maybee you have to edit the field @VariantType. The VariantType describes the type of the value that is returned.

The variant types are:

  • Empty = 0
  • Null = 1
  • Short = 2
  • Integer = 3
  • Single = 4
  • Double = 5
  • Currency = 6
  • Date = 7
  • String = 8
  • Object = 9
  • Error = 10
  • Boolean = 11
  • Variant = 12
  • DataObject = 13
  • Decimal = 14
  • Byte = 15
  • Char = 16
  • Long = 17

Monitor a SNMP device with Microsoft SCOM 2007 R2

To monitor SNMP devices with SCOM 2007 R2 is a litle special, as i know other products witch are more easy for monitoring SNMP devices. But SCOM has some good feature and if you have SCOM, you don’t want to have another tool only for monitoring SNMP devices.

Here is an overview for monitoring one ore more SNMP devices:

  • Create a separated Management Pack for each device type.
  • Create the SNMP device.
  • Create a group for each device type.
  • Find out, which Values a SNMP devices can have and which OID’s you have to use.
  • Create one ore more SNMP Monitors.
  • Enable the monitor to the device group.
  • Make some adjustments to the monitor.

Here is a step-by-step guide to monitor one ore more SNMP devices:

Create a separated Management Pack for each device type

Make a separated Management Pack for each device type. You will have only benefits:

  • you are able to make some special changes with an xml-editor or the Authoring Console.
  • you can test the Management Pack, go forward and backward.
  • you can export and distribute the Management Pack.

Create the SNMP device

Right click Network Devices under Device Management from Administration pane and select Discovery Wizard. read more