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The SNMP Assistant is designed to provide value to network administrators running both the ipMonitor Network Monitoring software, and those running any number of other network management solutions.

In addition to scanning or walking SNMP objects, you can also use the SNMP Assistant to query ipMonitor's MIB repository directly from your desktop.

Before you can scan a device, you must download and launch the ipMonitor SNMP Assistant utility. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Download the ipMonitor SNMP Assistant utility from the ipMonitor Support Portal:
   
   /downloads/2d101b4fe4d347c3893f769323192b37.aspx
2. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to the location of your choice. The utility does not have to be located within the ipMonitor folder.
3. Run the ipmsnmpassist.exe file to launch the SNMP Assistant.

Once enabled, the SNMP Assistant icon will appear on your taskbar. It will also automatically be added to your Startup tasks.

Click the PDF icon to open a printable PDF version of this tutorial. It includes all the information found here, including images from the ipMonitor software, diagrams, and links to additional resources.

If you already know the MIB name or OID of the object to be used with your device, you can enter it directly in the ipMonitor SNMP Assistant utility by double-clicking the icon on your taskbar or right-clicking and selecting the 'Search' option.

Examples of allowable search parameters:

• IF-MIB
• IF-MIB.ifEntry
• ifEntry
• system.sysDescr
• 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1

Note: Searches are not case sensitive. Queries will return the same results, regardless of capitalization.

The ipMonitor SNMP Assistant utility will search the MIB database within the SNMP Center and will open a new browser window if results are found.

Note: The example below illustrates results for the "ifEntry" search query.

1. Clicking on the name of the queried string (i.e. ifEntry) will allow you to view item details, such as ASN.1 numeric notation, Named notation, Path, Type, Value-Sizes, Access, Status and Description.

2. Clicking on the numeric label of the OID (i.e. 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1) allows you to navigate through the Global OID tree, starting from the location of your queried search string. The Global OID Tree is arranged in a tree structure, with logical groupings represented by expandable branches. It contains definitions from all the MIBs available in the SNMP database and contains two levels of browsing depth.

3. Clicking on the name of the MIB allows you to:

• View OID Tree - OID values are organized using a tree structure. Individual OID item information can be accessed by clicking on item names.
• View OID List - OIDs are displayed using a formatted list. Individual OID item information within the MIB can be accessed by clicking on item names. Icons and an icon legend are provided for quick visual identification.
• View Definitions - Textual Conventions and Type Definitions are listed for easy access to individual item information.
• View Raw Text - View the MIB in Raw Text format.

When you've located a MIB object within the SNMP Center that you want to test with one of your SNMP-enabled devices, you can use it to scan your device for relevant SNMP data. To initiate the scan, simply enter the IP address or Domain Name of your device or application in the Scan (or Walk) dialogue box, as shown below:

For information regarding the various SNMP Monitors available within the ipMonitor Network Monitoring software, refer to the Monitors section of ipMonitor's Context-Sensitive Help system, and then select Monitor Types. The Context-Sensitive Help can be accessed by clicking the Help link located in the top right corner of ipMonitor's Administration web interface.

For information on other features and concepts related to those discussed in this article, refer to the following ipMonitor resources:

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Last Updated: August 31, 2005 | What did you think of this topic?