Trying to use 'Private' MIBs - HELP

[copperpot]

I am a little new to this program and the gazillion options it has. I need to use SNMP for a microwave system and thus custom a MIB file has been defined by the microwave company.

I am running the current version.
I have ran the MIB browser, added the new MIB definitions, and saved it into the the same MIB database. I think this is true because I can run the MIB browser again and the new MIBs show up in the tree under the 'private' section.

When I create a new test, the private MIBS i have added do not show up.
They seem to have a similar signature to SNMP type mibs and I'm thinking they will show up in that test-type area drop down list, but i do not see them anywhere in any list.

On a test-setup-window I've tried typing in an OID that is not in any list and get a response that the SNMP message cannot be interpreted.

It would be great to understand a general procedure to add a new MIB to the Host Monitor, and then create a test using OIDs from the new MIB. I have scoured the manual and some of this forum for hints and clues and do not have enough information.

Can anyone give me a crash-course with this?
Thanks.

[KS-Soft Europe]

When I create a new test, the private MIBS i have added do not show up. They seem to have a similar signature to SNMP type mibs and I'm thinking they will show up in that test-type area drop down list, but i do not see them anywhere in any list.

If you click on "Browse MIBs" button next to "OID" field (small button with opened book depicted), HostMonitor will launch MIB Browser displaying the hierarchy tree of SNMP variables. Now you may browse variables, choose another variable if needed and click [Ok] button to use the selected variable by HostMonitor.

It would be great to understand a general procedure to add a new MIB to the Host Monitor, and then create a test using OIDs from the new MIB.

Everything is pretty simple. You just should execute MIB Browser and append certain MIB file to the MIB Database. Then you should setup new SNMP GET test, invoke MIB Browser using "Browse MIBs" button and select appropriate variable.

Regards,
Max

[copperpot]

Ok

As im trying to setup a test on the KS-hostmonitor, I can see that the SNMP agent is receiving the SNMP GET message by looking at the SNMP agent's display. Then, i get an error message on the hostmonitor that says this: Cannot retrieve data (unknown variable OID)

If I can see these OIDs in teh MIB browser then shouldnt they be able to be interpreted? I am missing something

Thanks.
Copperpot

[KS-Soft]

May be you are missing ".0" at the end of OID? Single instance OID should use ".0". What exactly OID do you use?

Regards
Alex

[copperpot]

No I have included the .0 at the end of the OID and the error message I described in the previous post is what is returned.

Host Monitor seems to not be able to interpret the answer that is sent back by the SNMP agent even though the MIB definition is 'appended' to the database used by Hostmonitor.

~Copperpot

[copperpot]

I may have figured it out, had to do with something else on the SNMP agent. Thanks for your help !

Copperpot

[KS-Soft Europe]

Host Monitor seems to not be able to interpret the answer that is sent back by the SNMP agent even though the MIB definition is 'appended' to the database used by Hostmonitor.

If OID represents an array, e.g. Interface Counters, you have to add the array index, like .1 or .2 to access certain element in array.

Regards,
Max

[KS-Soft]

Host Monitor seems to not be able to interpret the answer that is sent back by the SNMP agent even though the MIB definition is 'appended' to the database used by Hostmonitor

I believe "unknown variable OID" is the answer from your device.

So, what exactly OID do you use? May we access your device for testing?
What version of SNMP protocol is supported by your device? Windows supports SNMP v1 and v2, does not support SNMP v3

I may have figured it out, had to do with something else on the SNMP agent. Thanks for your help !

Do you mean everything works fine now? May we know the reason of the problem? This information could be useful for other customers

Regards
Alex

[JuergenF]

If OID represents an array, e.g. Interface Counters, you have to add the array index, like .1 or .2 to access certain element in array.

Adding the interface nummer .1 works, thanks for the help!

I suggest to add a line to the manual. It's tricky with that arrays
http://www.ks-soft.net/hostmon.eng/tests.htm#chkSNMP

[KS-Soft]

I suggest to add a line to the manual. It's tricky with that arrays

H'm.. it's tricky but it's common SNMP rule.
Probably its better to add link to some good online book

Regards
Alex

[JuergenF]

I suggest to add a line to the manual. It's tricky with that arrays

H'm.. it's tricky but it's common SNMP rule.

Yes it is. But how many people know that. I started as an SNMP rookie too.

May be you can do both. (Add some lines and the links)
Regards

Juergen

[copperpot]

Thanks very much for your prompt support.

My problems with this SNMP project ended up not having much to do with the KS-hostmonitor. The error message I was getting in the hostmonitor was just leading me in the wrong direction because of the SNMP agent's bad config.

The complication here was that the SNMP agent was just a software module that interfaces with a propeitary monitoring system and I had to use IP addresses (in the SNMP agent) to associate with different equipment addresses so the SNMP agent could relay between KS-hostmonitor and the propeitary monitor system. If anything the microwave company could have done some better documentation on their SNMP agent module and I could be not such a n00b.

p.s. I love examples

Anyways

Thanks again,
~Copperpot