SNMP cant read 64Bit counters

Jax · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 13

When trying to retrieve any 64Bit counter value via SNMP I get:
"Error: cannot retrieve data. Unknown variable (OID)"

I have verified my oid and I can get the value via a command line snmp get.

Here are is one example on 64Bit IF counters on Cisco switches
1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.1.3 Returns if Name works ok
1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.6.3 Returns the error because it is a counter 64.

KS-Soft · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 12795 Location: USA

There are must be some another reason for this error because
- HostMonitor know how to work with 64bits counters
- If HostMonitor gets some value but don't know how to handle it, it displays "Unknown type" error.
- "Unknown variable (OID)" it is answer from mgmtapi.dll

Can I access your router for testing?

Regards
Alex

Jax · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 13

Unfortunately the switches I have a problem with are on a private network and cant be accessed via internet.

My description was not exactly accurate, if I use a snmp browser like OidView I can read the oid however command line progs like snmpget or snmputil and HM report an error.

I tried on cisco 6509 6009 2948G running CatOs and they all have the problem.

This problem is not critical, I can use the 32bit equivalent counters.

Thanks

KS-Soft · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 12795 Location: USA

May be some problem with mgmtapi.dll...
I think we will implement SNMP test in RMA without using this DLL

Regards
Alex

ironmike · Joined: 22 Jun 2003 Posts: 15

I have a Cisco CSS 11800 and I can't use the 64-bit counters on it either, though I can view them with OIDview....

Mike

KS-Soft · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 12795 Location: USA

Did you try to use RMA for this purpose? Unlike HostMonitor, RMA ( version 1.18 ) does not use mgmtapi.dll

Regards
Alex

ironmike · Joined: 22 Jun 2003 Posts: 15

I just tried it out. With HostMonitor, I get:
Error: Cannot retrieve data. Unknown variable (OID).

With RMA, I get:
SNMP error: No such name.

I am able to get some some information looking at other OIDs (from both RMA and Hostmonitor), so I know that it should not be an access issue. If it helps, here is some info on the OID that I am trying to access:

ASN Name: ap64ifInOctets
MIB: ap64stats
Object Identifer: 1.3.6.1.4.1.2467.1.44.3.1.10
Argument Type: Counter64
Range: 0-18446744073709551615
Description:
The total number of octets received on the interface, including framing
characters.

I am accessing the OID by numeric index, for example:
1.3.6.1.4.1.2467.1.44.3.1.10.35
(I also tried 1.3.6.1.4.1.2467.1.44.3.1.10.35.0 without luck)
to get me information on octet count for interface 35.

Let me know if you need any more information.

thanks,
Mike

KS-Soft · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 12795 Location: USA

Sorry for delay, investigation was not easy. Here is draft conclusion:

Counter64 was introduced in SNMPv2. HostMonitor know how to work with this data type but it sends request to SNMP agent with version=1 in the header.
Looks like some SNMP agents do not provide counter64 data if request indicates version 1. On the other hand if HostMonitor will send v2 request, SNMPv1 agents will not respond.

Good solution is not very easy - implement MIB compiler and provide databases to the monitor. In this case HostMonitor will know what request it should use for each OID.
Unfortunately it will not be implemented in nearest version. Probably version 4.80...

Regards
Alex